# NTSB GAA15CA056: William D Durkee RV-6, N91WD, Tunica, MS, April 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2015, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Tunica, MS - Coordinates: 34.675556, -90.345832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6756&lon=-90.3458&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 9, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA056 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Durkee William D RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05608LS), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll on runway 35, the pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind that moved the tail of the tailwheel equipped airplane to the right. The airplane veered left and the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder but stated he did not apply enough. The right main landing gear collapsed during the event and the airplane departed the left side of the runway into the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Winds reported on the field near the time of the accident were 10 knots from 280 degrees. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll on runway 35, the pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind that moved the tail of the tailwheel equipped airplane to the right. The airplane veered left and the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder but stated he did not apply enough. The right main landing gear collapsed during the event and the airplane departed the left side of the runway into the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Winds reported on the field near the time of the accident were 10 knots from 280 degrees. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91WD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91WD), registered now, S/N 20154WD, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILLIAM D DURKEE RV-6 - Registry model: [Durkee William D RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/durkee-william-d-rv-6) (registry code 05608LS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D2J](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d2j) (registry code 41595, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20154WD - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 1365.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2014 - Departed: KTKX, Kennett, MO - Destination: KUTA, Tunica, MS - Airport: UTA, Tunica Muni, runway 35, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 262 total, 31.5 in this make and model, 203.3 as pilot in command, 5.8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KUTA, 1 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 20150430005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150430005499A), Apr 30, 2015: Durkee William D RV-6, Tunica, MS, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that as he was attempting to take off on runway 35 at Tunica, Mississippi (kuta) on April 30, 2015 about 1650 local time in a RV-6 a large… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91108. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo – 1 Right Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%E2%80%93%201%20Right%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.