# NTSB DFW06CA105: Parks RV-7, N620CF, Fort Worth, TX, April 16, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 16, 2006, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.9252777777778, -97.4069444444444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9253&lon=-97.4069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Forth Worth, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 63505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63505/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The 6,384-hour ATP rated pilot, with 69-hours in make/model, lost directional control of the tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane during the takeoff roll from a 3,740 foot long by 60 foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane's controls responded correctly as he taxied his homebuilt airplane from his hangar to runway 14 prior to his departure. Prior to taking the active runway, the pilot reported that he executed a 360-degree clockwise turn to visually check for approaching aircraft followed by a left turn onto the active runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to swerve to the left side of the runway. The pilot further reported that he attempted to arrest the swerve by applying right rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a berm and a nearby railroad track. An FAA inspector reported that an examination of the airplane's flight controls and tailwheel assembly did not reveal any pre-accident anomalies. The pilot was attempting to depart from Runway 14. The weather observation facility located 6 nautical miles northeast from the accident site reported the winds from 220 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative The 6,384-hour ATP rated pilot, with 69-hours in make/model, lost directional control of the tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane during the takeoff roll from a 3,740 foot long by 60 foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane's controls responded correctly as he taxied his homebuilt airplane from his hangar to runway 14 prior to his departure. Prior to taking the active runway, the pilot reported that he executed a 360-degree clockwise turn to visually check for approaching aircraft followed by a left turn onto the active runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to swerve to the left side of the runway. The pilot further reported that he attempted to arrest the swerve by applying right rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a berm and a nearby railroad track. An FAA inspector reported that an examination of airplane's flight controls and tailwheel assembly did not revealed any pre-accident anomalies. The pilot was attempting to depart from Runway 14. The weather observation facility located 6 nautical miles northeast from the accident site reported the winds from 220 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N620CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N620CF), registered now, S/N 70095, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Parks RV-7 - Registry model: [Parks Thomas W JR RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/parks-thomas-w-jr-rv-7) (registry code 05615UY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1d) (registry code 42250, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 70095 - Airframe hours: 59 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 1, 2005 - Departed: T67, FORT WORTH, TX - Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield, runway 14, 3,740 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,384 total, 69 in this make and model, 5,279 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 97 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: AFW, 6 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 20060416005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060416005059A), Apr 16, 2006: Parks RV7, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 16, 2006, at approximately 1543 LCL, N620CF, a vans RV-7 aircraft sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from runway 14 at… 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.