# NTSB LAX00LA104: Cohen VAN'S RV-6, N264JC, Camarillo, CA, February 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 2000, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.229164, -119.070243 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2292&lon=-119.0702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48692 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48692/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA104 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during a crosswind takeoff, which resulted in a collision with the terrain and a runway light. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - object - runway light ## Analysis The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings. He completed a normal approach and landing, and, while preparing to increase power for takeoff, he became distracted by a bird that passed by the right side of the canopy. A wind gust then caused the airplane to veer off the runway centerline. The pilot took off and the airplane remained low and slow. As he entered a slight bank to the right, the wind lifted the left wing causing a greater angle of bank. The pilot was not able to correct the situation. The right wingtip impacted the terrain and the airplane collided with a runway light. There was damage to the propeller and both wings. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 2000, at 1340 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Cohen Van's RV-6, N264JC, ground looped while landing at the Camarillo, California, airport. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The local area personal flight, conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, originated at the Camarillo Airport at 1300. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had completed about five touch-and-go landings to runway 26. The winds were reported to be from approximately 180 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 16 knots. The pilot established the final approach about 85 mph with full flaps. The glide path, power setting, and airspeed appeared normal, and the airplane was in line with the runway centerline. The pilot reported that the flare and landing were also normal. While preparing to increase the power for takeoff, the pilot became distracted by a bird that passed by the right side of the canopy; he was worried about a bird strike. At that time, a wind gust caused the airplane to veer off the centerline. The pilot opted to takeoff. The airplane lifted off from the runway but remained low and slow. The pilot reported that he entered a slight bank to the right. The wind lifted the left wing causing a greater angle of bank. The pilot stated that because of the slow airspeed, the ailerons were not responsive enough for the desired correction. The right wingtip impacted the terrain and the airplane collided with a runway light. There was damage to the propeller and both wings. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N264JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N264JC-2000-05-04), registration cancelled 2000-05-04, S/N 20591 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cohen VAN'S RV-6 - Registry model: [Cohen James B RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/cohen-james-b-rv-6) (registry code 056064T) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20591 - Airframe hours: 177 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-DIA 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Cohen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CMA, CA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 179 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 20000221007399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000221007399A), Feb 21, 2000: Amtr RV6, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing on runway 26, the aircraft veered off of the left side of the runway then turned back to the right… 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.