# NTSB ERA23LA387: John W Moll Vans RV-7, N557JM, Liberty, SC, September 29, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 29, 2023, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Liberty, SC - Coordinates: 34.813474, -82.698247 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8135&lon=-82.6982&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193172/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193172 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA387 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. ## 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: [John W Moll VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05638MM), [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: [John W Moll VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638MM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [John W Moll VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05638MM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [John W Moll VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05638MM), [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: [John W Moll VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638MM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After completing a successful landing, the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane applied engine power to begin the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct; however, the airplane veered left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane impacted the precision approach path indicators light system resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N557JM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N557JM), registered now, S/N 70912, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHN W MOLL Vans RV-7 - Registry model: [John W Moll VANS RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-w-moll-vans-rv-7) (registry code 05638MM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-io-360-series) (registry code 01306, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 70912 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 0.7 - Engines: Aerosport Power IO-360-M1S 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, June 15, 2023 - Airport: LQK, Pickens County, runway 23, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 151 total, 4 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: LQK - METAR: KLQK 291215Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/13 A3013 RMK AO2 T01300127 ## 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 20230929020389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230929020389A), Sep 29, 2023: John W Moll VANS RV-7, Pickens, SC, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll plane veered to the left and left the runway and hit the PAPI. PAPI damaged left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. This was the initial… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193172. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16190337&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20incident%20report%209-29-23%20PRINT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 961 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16190744&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA23LA387-Rel.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.