# NTSB CEN16LA329: Collins RV6A, N576RV, Pekin, IL, August 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2016, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Pekin, IL - Coordinates: 40.488056, -89.675834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4881&lon=-89.6758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 1, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 93865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93865/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93865 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA329 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his subsequent distraction and failure to maintain control while attempting to close the open canopy, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Collins John A RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561971), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, before takeoff, he waited with the engine running for about 10 minutes while other traffic departed. While waiting, he unlatched the canopy to allow air into the cockpit; however, he failed to re-secure the canopy before takeoff. Just after the airplane lifted off the runway, the canopy tilted up, and, while attempting to close it, the pilot "got distracted and neglected to fly the airplane." The airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Collins RV6A airplane, N576RV, impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 27 at the Pekin Municipal Airport (C15), near Pekin, Illinois. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating from C15 at the time of the accident and was destined for the Whiteside County Airport-Jos H Bittorf Field, near Sterling/Rockfalls, Illinois.According to an initial first-responder, the pilot indicated that he had forgotten to latch the canopy. The canopy opened during the takeoff and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. After the accident, the pilot made an emergency radio call over C15's common traffic advisory frequency, which went unanswered. The pilot made a cell phone call and was able to reach a representative from the fixed base operator (FBO) who subsequently went to the accident site and notified emergency responders. The pilot was taken to a hospital for the serious injuries he sustained. The pilot indicated in his accident report that a jet delayed his takeoff. He reported the outside air temperature was over 90 degrees and he unlatched the canopy to get air into the cockpit. The jet departed after 10 minutes. The pilot subsequently departed and about 30 feet above ground he noticed the canopy was unlatched. He attempted to close the latch, got distracted, and did not maintain airplane control. At 1454, the recorded weather at the General Downing - Peoria International Airport, near Peoria, Illinois, was: Wind 210 degrees at 12 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 31 degrees C; dew point 22 degrees C; altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury. The FBO employee indicated that a crucial thing to be taken away from this accident is that the local radio frequency at small town airports should be able to be heard in every room of the FBO or airport office. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N576RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N576RV-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 72293, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COLLINS RV6A - Registry model: [Collins John A RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/collins-john-a-rv6a) (registry code 0561971) (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: 72293 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 380 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2016 - Departed: C15, Pekin, IL - Destination: SQI, STERLING/ROCKFALLS, IL - Airport: C15, Pekin Muni, runway 27, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 120 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KPIA, 11 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 20160818014569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160818014569A), Aug 18, 2016: Collins John A RV6A, Pekin, IL, Substantial damage. Upon takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 25 feet, the canopy came open and the pilot lost control and impacted the runway. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93865. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Nick Keith (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Nick%20Keith-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.