- Date
- July 14, 2005, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place
- Oshkosh, WI
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N125WHHirsch RV-6A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 28, 2006
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA-Milwaukee FSDO
- FAA report
- 20050714033879A
- Case key
- 62019
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff. Contributing factors were the uneven (rough) runway surface and the fence.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when it departed the turf runway and impacted a fence. The pilot reported that he initiated a short field takeoff. Approximately 100 feet into the takeoff roll the airplane encountered "bumps" in the runway surface. He stated that after traveling another 100 feet, the airplane was "propelled 5-6 feet into the air" but that it did not have sufficient airspeed to maintain flight at that time. He stated that as the airplane settled back onto the runway, it began to "porpoise over the next several ridges" for a distance of approximately 100 feet. The pilot reported: "At that time the aircraft suddenly veered left and I pulled the throttle to idle. It went into the high grass along the runway and struck the fence with the left wing." The airplane subsequently ground looped and came to rest.
Factual narrative
On July 14, 2005, at 0700 central daylight time, an amateur-built Hirsch RV6A, N125WH, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface and impacted a fence while attempting to takeoff from runway 36 (2,200 feet by 50 feet, turf) at Gallinger Airport (51WI), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The intended destination was Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, located 5 nautical miles south of 51WI.
In the pilot's written statement, he reported that he initiated a short field takeoff. He noted that approximately 100 feet into the takeoff roll the airplane encountered "bumps" in the runway surface. He stated that after traveling another 100 feet, the airplane was "propelled 5-6 feet into the air" but that it did not have sufficient airspeed to maintain flight at that time. He stated that as the airplane settled back onto the runway, it began to "porpoise over the next several ridges" for a distance of approximately 100 feet. The pilot reported: "At that time the aircraft suddenly veered left and I pulled the throttle to idle. It went into the high grass along the runway and struck the fence with the left wing." The airplane subsequently ground looped and came to rest.
The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.
Winds recorded at OSH at 0653 were from 020 degrees at 11 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N125WH
- Reported as
- Hirsch RV-6A
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 23556
- Airframe hours
- 557.5
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A1A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · June 1, 2005 · 20.8 hours before
- Departed
- 51WI · Oshkosh, WI
- Destination
- OSH · Oshkosh, WI
- Airport
- 51WI · Gallinger, runway 36, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- February 1, 2005
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 797 total · 38 in this make and model · 723 as pilot in command · 65 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 20° at 11 knots
- Visibility
- 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- OSH, 5 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.