# NTSB GAA17CA576: Hunter George RV 6, N6GH, Montgomery, NY, August 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2017, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, NY - Coordinates: 41.511943, -74.26361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5119&lon=-74.2636&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 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA576 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96304/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96304 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA576 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in impact with visual approach slope indicator lights. ## 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: [Hunter George RV 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05605MA), [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: [Hunter George RV 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05605MA), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunter George RV 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=05605MA), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: [Hunter George RV 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05605MA), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Hunter George RV 6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05605MA), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 3, there was a slight crosswind and he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, possibly due to wind shear. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted the visual approach slope indicator lights. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead and the vertical stabilizer. According to the METAR at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3kts, the visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, and there were few clouds at 3,800ft. The temperature was 72°F and the dew point was 57°F. Wind shear was not reported. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 3, there was a slight crosswind and he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, possibly due to "wind shear." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead and the vertical stabilizer. According to the METAR at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3kts, the visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, and there were Few clouds at 3,800ft. The temperature was 72°F and the dew point was 57°F. Wind shear was not reported. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6GH-2019-02-12), registration cancelled 2019-02-12, S/N AIRLANE III, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUNTER GEORGE RV 6 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Hunter George RV 6](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunter-george-rv-6) (registry code 05605MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AIRLANE III - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2016 - Departed: MGJ, Montgomery, NY - Destination: MGJ, Montgomery, NY - Airport: MGJ, Orange County, runway 03, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 90; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,048 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,048 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMGJ ## 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 20170830013709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170830013709A), Aug 30, 2017: Hunter George RV 6, Montgomery, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft was performing the take-off roll on runway 03 at kmgj when, for unknown reasons, it veered to the left off the runway, went through the grass and hit… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96304. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.