# NTSB GAA16CA153: Barnes Thomas A Vans, N442TB, Bolingbrook, IL, March 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2016, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Bolingbrook, IL - Coordinates: 41.693611, -88.129447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6936&lon=-88.1294&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92868 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92868/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92868 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain direction control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in runway excursion, collision with terrain, and nose over. ## 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: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615YX), [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: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05615YX), [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: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05615YX), [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: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05615YX), [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: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05615YX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05615YX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane abruptly turned about 25 degrees to the left. He reduced the power to idle, applied right rudder, but reported that he over corrected to the right. He then applied left rudder to correct for the over correction. The airplane veered off the runway to the left, down an embankment and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane abruptly turned about 25 degrees to the left. He reduced the power to idle, applied right rudder, but reported that he over corrected to the right. He then applied left rudder to correct for the over correction. The airplane veered off the runway to the left, down an embankment and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N442TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N442TB-2017-02-01), registration cancelled 2017-02-01, S/N 23912, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARNES THOMAS A VANS (RV 6) - Registry model: [Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnes-thomas-a-vans-rv-6) (registry code 05615YX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23912 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 431.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A18 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 15, 2015 - Departed: 1C5, Bolingbrook, IL - Destination: JOT, JOLIET, IL - Airport: 1C5, Bolingbrook'S Clow Intl, runway 36, 3,362 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 354 total, 24.8 in this make and model, 239.6 as pilot in command, 7.6 in the last 90 days, 5.4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KLOT, 6 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 20160318002019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160318002019A), Mar 18, 2016: Barnes Thomas A VANS RV-6, Bolingbrook, IL, Minor damage. During take off roll from Clow International Airport in Bolingbrook, IL, the aircraft swerved 20 degrees left as extra power was applied prior to vr. PIC tried… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92868. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (A&P) (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(A%26P)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.