# NTSB GAA15CA040: Trom Wayne Vans RV6A, N646RV, LaFayette, GA, April 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 11, 2015, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: LaFayette, GA - Coordinates: 34.60361, -85.457221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6036&lon=-85.4572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91021/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91021 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in variable, gusting wind conditions, resulting in a runway excursion, and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628IT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusting, variable wind conditions, the airplane "suddenly" made a "strong" turn to the left. The airplane exited the runway to the left and the pilot applied left rudder to avoid hitting the windsock pole. The airplane entered tall grass, the nose wheel hit a hole, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and left wing during the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll in gusting, variable wind conditions, the airplane "suddenly" made a "strong" turn to the left. The airplane exited the runway to the left and the pilot applied left rudder to avoid hitting the windsock pole. The airplane entered tall grass, the nose wheel hit a hole, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and left wing during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N646RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N646RV), registered now, S/N 20333, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TROM WAYNE VANS RV6A (A) - Registry model: [Trom Wayne VANS RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/trom-wayne-vans-rv6a) (registry code 05628IT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2c) (registry code 42122, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20333 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 216 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peters William J - Registered owner: Peters William J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 8, 2015 - Departed: 19GA, FAYETTEVILLE, GA - Destination: GE11, LaFayette, GA - Airport: GE11, Hogjowl, runway 28, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 172 total, 172 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: K4A9, 15 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 20150411005729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150411005729A), Apr 11, 2015: Trom Wayne VANS RV6A, Menlo, GA, Substantial damage. On Saturday April 11, 2015 at approximately 1345 local time I received a phone call from roc that an aircraft make; vans homebuilt, model; RV6A had run off the… ## Other investigations on N646RV (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR22FA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA348), Sep 16, 2022: Trom Wayne Vans RV6A (N646RV), Aztec, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to turn away from a suitable emergency… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91021. 409 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.