# NTSB ERA26LA210: John Bradley Vans RV-7, N519JS, Athens, GA, May 15, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 15, 2026, 08:46 local (12:46 UTC) - Place: Athens, GA - Coordinates: 33.948917, -83.33706 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9489&lon=-83.3371&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 July 30, 2026 - 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): 203017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203017/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA210 ## Probable cause Contamination of the left wheel brake system with debris, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [John Bradley VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=05642ZH), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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 Bradley VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05642ZH), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder had recently completed constructing the experimental amateur-built airplane and had successfully flown for about 15 hours over three days. On the day of the accident, he had completed seven takeoffs and landings and was preparing for another takeoff in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. According to the pilot, he aligned the airplane with the runway heading to take off. As he slowly applied engine power, the airplane began to turn “hard” to the left. The pilot attempted to add right rudder input to correct the left turn, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, and ground looped in the grass. The pilot estimated that the airplane traveled a total of 235 ft down the runway from where power was applied to where the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron and empennage during the runway excursion. The pilot examined the airplane after the accident and found that the left wheel was “hot” difficult to rotate. He disassembled the left wheel and brake system and observed that there were significant grooves in the brake pads and debris lodged within the brake rotor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N519JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N519JS), registered now, S/N 75052, built 2026 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHN BRADLEY VANS RV-7 - Registry model: [John Bradley VANS RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-bradley-vans-rv-7) (registry code 05642ZH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-M1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-m1b) (registry code 41871, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75052 - Year built: 2026 - Airframe hours: 12.8 - Engines: Lycoming Engines IO-360-M1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 29, 2026 - Airport: AHN, Athens/Ben Epps, runway 09, 6,122 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 627.6 total, 12.8 in this make and model, 627.6 as pilot in command, 24.1 in the last 90 days, 24.1 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: AHN - METAR: METAR KAHN 151251Z 09006KT 10SM CLR 14/06 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP208 T01390056 ## 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 20260515006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260515006019A), May 15, 2026: John Bradley VANS RV-7, Athens, GA, Substantial damage. During start of takeoff roll from runway 09, pilot stated the aircraft immediately yawed left uncontrollably as he was advancing the throttle. The aircraft… 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.