# NTSB CEN20CA155: Vans RV 3, N24DE, Independence, IA, April 23, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2020, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Independence, IA - Coordinates: 42.456943, -91.947776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4569&lon=-91.9478&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 September 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101194/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101194 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a high-speed taxi with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a fence and terrain. ## 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: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Enochs RV-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0560887), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot practiced taxiing the airplane for about 1/2 hour before he attempted a takeoff and landing. After landing, he decided to practice a runway "speed up and down" to become more comfortable with engine settings. During the first "runup," he applied "very light throttle input," but the engine power increased "very fast." The airplane suddenly turned left, and the left wing dropped close to the ground with the airplane between about 35 and 40 mph. The pilot applied right rudder and changed the engine power but was unable to gain control of the airplane. The airplane veered left off the runway, went up an incline, struck the airport perimeter fence, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. A quartering tailwind prevailed at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot practiced taxing the airplane for about a ½ hour before he attempted a takeoff and landing. After landing, he decided to practice a runway "speed up and down" to become more comfortable with engine settings. During the first "runup", he applied "very light throttle input," but the engine increased in power "very fast." The airplane made a sudden left turn, and the left wing dropped close to the ground at a speed of about 35 - 40 mph. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane with applications of right rudder and changes of engine power. The airplane veered off the runway, up an incline, struck the airport perimeter fence, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. A quartering tailwind prevailed at the time of the accident. There were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24DE-2022-09-14), registration cancelled 2022-09-14, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV 3 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Enochs RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/enochs-rv-3) (registry code 0560887) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 386 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D-2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Individual - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 19, 2019 - Departed: IIB, Independence, IA - Destination: IIB, Independence, IA - Airport: IIB, Independence Municipal Airport, runway 36, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,057 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,032 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg ## 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 20200423002179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200423002179A), Apr 23, 2020: Enochs RV-3, Independence, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot was simulating takeoff from runway 36 when the aircraft made a sudden turn to the left, jumping a small hill parallel to the runway and going through a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101194. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.