# NTSB DEN06CA117: Gordon Vans RV-6, N442E, Erie, CO, August 24, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2006, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.613609, -105.034721
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6136&lon=-105.0347&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA117

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he encountered a gust of wind during the takeoff roll from runway 15. The airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. According to the routine aviation weather report (METAR) the winds were 070 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot estimated the winds to be 080 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 12 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he encountered a gust of wind during the takeoff roll from runway 15 (4,700 feet by 60 feet, concrete). The airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted terrain. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, both the left and right wing spars were bent aft, the left main landing gear separated and the empennage was wrinkled. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. According to the routine aviation weather report (METAR) recorded at Jefferson County Airport, located 7 miles southwest of Erie, the winds were 070 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot estimated the winds to be 080 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 12 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N442E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N442E-2009-09-30), registration cancelled 2009-09-30, S/N 60090, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gordon Vans RV-6
- Registry model: [Gordon Glenn S VANS RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/gordon-glenn-s-vans-rv-6) (registry code 0561189) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 60090
- Airframe hours: 181
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2006
- Departed: EIK, Erie, CO
- Destination: EIK, Erie, CO
- Airport: EIK, Tri-County, runway 15, 4,700 × 60 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 624 total, 46 in this make and model, 564 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 7 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 20060824018409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060824018409A), Aug 24, 2006: Amtr VANSRV6, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 24, 2006 at 17:15 aircraft N442R was departing runway 15, there was a left crosswind. The plane weathervaned into the wind. Rudder control was…

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.

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