# NTSB GAA15CA115: Smiley James E RAG Wing RW-6, N2305J, Mocksville, NC, May 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2015, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Mocksville, NC - Coordinates: 35.985832, -80.511665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9858&lon=-80.5117&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91342 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91342/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91342 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a building. ## 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: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05623ZI), [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: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05623ZI), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05623ZI), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05623ZI), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05623ZI), [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: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05623ZI), [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: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05623ZI), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel equipped airplane encountered a gust a wind from the left, and veered to the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff after the airplane exited the right side of the runway, but then added power to continue the takeoff. The airplane did not respond to control inputs while attempting to turn back towards the runway, and impacted a building. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel equipped airplane encountered a gust a wind from the left, and veered to the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff after the airplane exited the right side of the runway, but then added power to continue the takeoff. The airplane did not respond to control inputs while attempting to turn back towards the runway, and impacted a building. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2305J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2305J-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMILEY JAMES E RAG WING RW-6 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/smiley-james-e-rag-wing-rw-6) (registry code 05623ZI) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 131 - Engines: Rotax 503-DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 28, 2014 - Departed: 5NC2, Mocksville, NC - Destination: 8A7, MOCKSVILLE, NC - Airport: 5NC2, Sugar Valley, runway 20, 2,424 × 36 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review October 8, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 795 total, 128 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KEXX, 16 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 20150530008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150530008329A), May 30, 2015: Smiley James E RAG-WING RW-6, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot of N2305J attempted a takeoff on runway 20 at 5NC2 (Sugar Valley) airport, lost directional control, and impacted a house on the west side of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91342. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%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.