# NTSB CEN10CA192: Stroup Robert RV-6, N58BD, Muleshoe, TX, April 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2010, 17:44 local (22:44 UTC) - Place: Muleshoe, TX - Coordinates: 34.185001, -102.641113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1850&lon=-102.6411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 75660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75660/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75660 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA192 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in strong, gusting winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stroup Robert RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05608EK), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot lined up the airplane along the centerline of runway 25 and noted that the winds would be a "strong quartering left headwind/crosswind." Shortly after commencing the takeoff roll the airplane's tailwheel lifted off the ground and the airplane began to veer left as the airplane weathervaned about 20 degrees to the left of the runway heading. The pilot elected not to abort the takeoff and attempted to correct back to the runway heading. As the airplane approached the edge of the 60-foot-wide runway it became airborne. Control of the airplane was lost and the airplane pitched up and rolled right. The roll continued until the airplane was inverted, at which time the nose dropped and the airplane impacted the runway inverted and skidded 20 feet off the right side of the runway. A review of photos provided by the pilot and first responders revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. There were no reported anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to impact. At the time of the accident weather in the vicinity of the airport was winds from 220 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot lined up the airplane along the centerline of runway 25 and noted that the winds would be a "strong quartering left headwind/crosswind." Shortly after commencing the takeoff roll the airplane's tail wheel lifted off the ground and the airplane began to veer left as the airplane weather vaned about 20 degrees to the left of runway heading. The pilot elected not to abort the takeoff and attempted to correct back to runway heading. As the airplane approached the edge of the 60-foot wide runway, the airplane became airborne. Control of the airplane was lost and the airplane pitched up and rolled right. The roll continued until the airplane was inverted at which time the nose dropped towards the runway and the airplane impacted the runway inverted and skidded 20 feet off the right side of the runway. A review of photos provided by the pilot and first responders revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. There were no reported anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to impact. At the time of the accident weather in the vicinity of the airport was winds from 220 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 27. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58BD-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 20070, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STROUP ROBERT RV-6 - Registry model: [Stroup Robert RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/stroup-robert-rv-6) (registry code 05608EK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20070 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carter David C - Registered owner: Carter David C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 2T1, Muleshoe Muni, TX - Destination: Temple, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 2T1, Muleshoe Muni, runway 25, 5,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 5,496 total, 256 in this make and model, 5,496 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 24 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KCVN, 26 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100405030779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100405030779A), Apr 5, 2010: Stroup Robe RV-6, Muleshoe, TX, Substantial damage. On April 5, 2010 N58BD, an experimental home built aircraft sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the airport in Muleshoe, Texas (K2T1). The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75660. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo: Damage overview (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Damage%20overview-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.