# NTSB GAA19CA351: Vans Vans Acft RV 6, N696SH, Culpepper, VA, June 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2019, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Culpepper, VA - Coordinates: 38.525554, -77.859725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5256&lon=-77.8597&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 August 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA351 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99654/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99654 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA351 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056120W), [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: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056120W), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056120W), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056120W), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056120W), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056120W), [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: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056120W), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust, so she added more aileron input to counteract it, but the "gust died down." The airplane then fishtailed, so she attempted to abort the takeoff by reducing power and applying brakes, but the airplane veered right. Despite applying brakes to stop the veer, the left wing settled to the ground, and the airplane came to a stop at the side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing aft spar and engine mounts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, she added more aileron input to counteract a wind gust but just as quickly, the "crosswind died off." The airplane fishtailed so she aborted the takeoff and applied brakes, but the airplane veered right and ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing aft spar and engine mounts. 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 station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes prior to the accident, the wind was from 310° at 9 knots, gusting 17 knots. The airplane departed on runway 04. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N696SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N696SH), registered now, S/N 22755, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans VANS ACFT RV 6 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/riley-james-l-vans-acft-rv-6) (registry code 056120W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 22755 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1032.9 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 9, 2019 - Departed: CJR, Culpepper, VA - Destination: CJR, Culpepper, VA - Airport: CJR, Culpeper Rgnl, runway 04, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,358 total, 184 in this make and model, 2,935 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KCJR ## 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 20190614008879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190614008879A), Jun 14, 2019: Riley James L VANS ACFT RV-6, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. On 14JUN2019, at approximately 1200HRS, N696SH, a conventional landing gear aircraft, attempted to take off from runway 4, at Culpeper Regional Airport (kcjr).… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99654. 32.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 32.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483788&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.