# NTSB CEN12CA278: Galloway/Ward RV-4, N102GW, Redwood Falls, MN, May 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2012, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Redwood Falls, MN - Coordinates: 44.541389, -95.075836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5414&lon=-95.0758&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83569/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83569 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Galloway/Ward RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056084K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Galloway/Ward RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=056084K), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Galloway/Ward RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056084K), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Galloway/Ward RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056084K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane encountered a wind gust on takeoff roll, which lifted the right wing and caused the airplane to roll left. The airplane then lifted off the ground about 2-3 feet, and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane touched down on the left landing gear as it was drifting to the left, and the gear collapsed. Then, the right landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck a runway light as the airplane exited the side of the runway. The pilot said that the firewall, left wing spar, and an engine mount were damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine. He also stated that he should have been more aware of the possibility of sudden wind gusts and wind shear during takeoff. ## Factual narrative The airplane encountered a wind gust on takeoff, which lifted the right wing and caused the airplane to roll left. The airplane then lifted off the ground about 2-3 feet and the pilot tried to abort the takeoff. The airplane touched down on the left landing gear as it was drifting to the left, and the gear collapsed. Then, the right landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck a runway light as it exited the side of the runway. The pilot said the firewall, left wing spar, and an engine mount were damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine. He also stated that he should have been more aware of the possibility of sudden wind gusts and wind shear during takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102GW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102GW), registered now, S/N GW 102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GALLOWAY/WARD RV-4 - Registry model: [Galloway/Ward RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/galloway-ward-rv-4) (registry code 056084K) (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: GW 102 - Airframe hours: 1303 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stegmaier Ann C - Registered owner: Stegmaier Ann C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 9, 2011 - Departed: RWF, Redwood Falls, MN - Destination: RWF, Redwood Falls, MN - Airport: RWF, Redwood Falls Municipal, runway 30, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 29,150 total, 200 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: RFW, 1 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83569. 619 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 619 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.