# NTSB GAA17CA480: Thomas J Hankamp VAN'S Aircraft RV4, N9214, Poughkeepsie, NY, July 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2017, 12:17 local (16:17 UTC) - Place: Poughkeepsie, NY - Coordinates: 41.627498, -73.884162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6275&lon=-73.8842&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA480 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95784/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95784 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA480 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05634FV), [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: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634FV), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05634FV), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05634FV), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05634FV), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05634FV), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a "taxi test" in crosswind conditions, he overcorrected, and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 06. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that, throughout many conversations with the pilot, the initial statement was that the pilot lost control during takeoff and did have intent for flight. The FAA inspector verified this after talking with the local tower, who had cleared the airplane for takeoff. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a "taxi test" in crosswind conditions, he over corrected and ground looped. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 06. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector reported that, throughout many conversations with the pilot, the initial statement was that the pilot lost control during takeoff and did have intent for flight. The FAA Inspector verified this after talking with the local tower, who had cleared the airplane for takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9214](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9214-2018-12-17), registration cancelled 2018-12-17, S/N 538, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS J HANKAMP VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV4 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Thomas J Hankamp VANS RV4](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-j-hankamp-vans-rv4) (registry code 05634FV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 538 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 8 - Engines: Subaru EJ25 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, October 20, 2016 - Departed: POU, Poughkeepsie, NY - Airport: POU, Hudson Valley Rgnl, runway 06, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 650 total, 5 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 9.6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KPOU ## 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 20170728012699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170728012699A), Jul 28, 2017: Homebuilt RV4, Wapingers Falls, NY, Substantial damage. Airport: kpou. Runway 06, tower cleared aircraft N9214 for takeoff. On takeoff roll aircraft veered to the left, pilot stated he overcorrected aircraft to the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95784. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.