# NTSB GAA17CA350: Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, N251CW, Williston, FL, June 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2017, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Williston, FL - Coordinates: 29.355556, -82.471946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3556&lon=-82.4719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA350 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s pitch control during rotation and his subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635EB), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was on the controls in the high-performance, experimental, amateur-built airplane, reported that he and a check pilot, who was familiar with the airplane and required by the insurance company, were taking off from a grass airstrip for a planned cross-country flight. According to the check pilot, before takeoff, he advised the pilot to "begin his rotation to takeoff attitude a few knots before the normal takeoff speed of approximately 65 knots and then let the airplane lift off smoothly when it was ready to fly." During the takeoff roll, the pilot initiated the "rotation" as instructed, but the nose pitched up too high, and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck the ground, and came to rest upright facing the opposite direction of the takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the lower part of the composite fuselage. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who was on the controls in the high-performance, experimental amateur built airplane, reported that he and a check pilot that was familiar with the airplane and required by the insurance company, were taking off from a grass airstrip for a planned cross-country flight. According to the check pilot, before takeoff he advised the pilot "begin his rotation to takeoff attitude a few knots before the normal takeoff speed of approximately 65 knots and then let the airplane lift off smoothly when it was ready to fly." During the takeoff roll, the pilot initiated the "rotation" as instructed, but the nose pitched up too high and the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, struck the ground and came to rest upright and facing the opposite direction of the takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the lower part of the composite fuselage. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N251CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N251CW), registered now, S/N F16 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WARD CHRISTOPHER BARRY RAI 6 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/ward-christopher-barry-rai-6) (registry code 05635EB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ae2a) (registry code 41999, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: F16 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 34 - Engines: LYCOMING TIO - 540 -AE 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 16, 2016 - Departed: X60, Williston, FL - Destination: KHWO, Norh Perry, FL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: X60, Willisto, runway 05, 6,669 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Check pilot; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,182 total, 245 in this make and model, 5,787 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 5, 2001; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,360 total, 13 in this make and model, 1,530 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KOCF, 17 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 20170618008519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170618008519A), Jun 18, 2017: Ward Christopher Barry RAI 6, Williston, FL, Substantial damage. On June 18, 2017, at 0936 EDT, an amateur built revolution rai 6, N251CW, built by and registered to [privacy data omitted], veered off the runway after… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95401. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Checkout Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Checkout%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.