# NTSB GAA20CA026: Llewellyn, Warwinc W Vans RV-4, N15WL, Lusby, MD, October 12, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2019, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Lusby, MD - Coordinates: 38.36111, -76.405281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3611&lon=-76.4053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent cartwheel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05623PF), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05623PF), [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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05623PF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05623PF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taking off and just after rotation, the right wing dropped, and the airplane started to drift right. The right wing struck the runway, followed by the nose and the left wing. The airplane cart wheeled and came to rest in grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. 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, while taking off, just after rotation, the right wing dropped, and the airplane started to drift right. The right wing struck the runway and the nose and the left wing then impacted terrain. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An airport's automated weather observation station located 4 miles to the south reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 3 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 31. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15WL-2021-08-13), registration cancelled 2021-08-13, S/N 1868, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LLEWELLYN, WARWINC W Vans RV-4 (150) - Registry model: [Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/llewellyn-warwinc-w-vans-rv-4) (registry code 05623PF) (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: 1868 - Year built: 1994 - Airframe hours: 790.02 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 23, 2019 - Departed: MD50, Lusby, MD - Destination: MD50, Lusby, MD - Airport: MD50, Chesapeake Ranch, runway 31, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 608 total, 452 in this make and model, 544 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KNHK, 4 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 20191012019439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191012019439A), Oct 12, 2019: Llewellyn Warwinc W VANS RV-4, Lusby, MD, Destroyed. Young eagles flight. During takeoff transition to flight at the runway midpoint the aircraft started a roll to the right causing the right wing tip to contact… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100443. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%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.