# NTSB CEN12LA540: James H Berard RV-6A, N134CE, Westfield, IN, August 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2012, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Westfield, IN - Coordinates: 40.048889, -86.157775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0489&lon=-86.1578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Indianapolis Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 84658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA540 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84658/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84658 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA540 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after takeoff. ## 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: [Berard James H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056292I), [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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Berard James H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056292I), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Berard James H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056292I), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Berard James H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056292I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff he noticed the airplane being pushed to the left side of the runway by the wind. He started to correct then noticed that the right wing was getting close to the ground. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to that point. He did not recall any subsequent events. The airplane came to rest inverted about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 36. Examination of the accident site found a 45-foot-long ground scar from the initial point of impact leading to the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure. The local weather observation indicated that a left crosswind of 8 knots or less existed at the time of the accident takeoff. The pilot later stated that he believed he inadvertently stalled the airplane on takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2012, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Berard RV-6A, N134CE, impacted terrain after takeoff from Westfield Airport (I72), Westfield, Indiana. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the owner/builder under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after takeoff, the wind caused the airplane to drift toward one side of the runway. He started to correct, but then noticed that the right wing was getting close to the ground. He did not recall any subsequent events. The pilot reported that there were no problems with the airplane prior to that point in time. In his report, the pilot noted that he believes he inadvertently stalled the airplane. A postaccident examination conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed left wingtip damage was consistent with initial ground contact by the left wing. A ground impact mark about 45 feet long was observed leading to the accident site. The airplane came to rest inverted about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 36. Flight and engine control continuity were confirmed. No anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed. Between 1235 and 1335, the recorded wind condition at the Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ), located about 4 miles west of the accident site, varied from 260 degrees to 300 degrees at 5 to 8 knots. The pilot held a sport pilot certificate with a single-engine land airplane endorsement. Individuals holding sport pilot certificates may operate light sport aircraft within the limitations of the regulations. The accident airplane was being operated on an experimental category, special airworthiness certificate, and not a light sport airplane airworthiness certificate. The accident airplane did not meet FAA requirements to be operated as a light sport airplane because the gross weight exceeded 1,320 pounds. The pilot reported a maximum gross weight of 1,600 pounds. The pilot reportedly acknowledged to FAA inspectors that he was aware that the accident airplane did not qualify as a light sport airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N134CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N134CE-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 25900, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: James H Berard RV-6A - Registry model: [Berard James H RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/berard-james-h-rv-6a) (registry code 056292I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2a) (registry code 42120, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 25900 - Airframe hours: 33 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 21, 2011, 33 hours before - Departed: I72, Westfield, IN - Destination: 0C8, Newark, IL - Airport: I72, Westfield, runway 36, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 24, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 219 total, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: TYQ, 4 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 20120811015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120811015839A), Aug 11, 2012: Berard James H RV-6A, Westfield, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot was departing I72 from the north sod runway. After rotation, the pilot noticed the aircraft drifting right due to a light wind. The pilot appeared to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84658. 861 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Weather Observations -- Indianapolis Executive Airport (item 3, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20--%20Indianapolis%20Executive%20Airport-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.