# NTSB LAX96LA161: Van Dyke GVD1, N94GV, Sacramento, CA, April 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1996, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Location: 38.5816° N, 121.4944° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sacramento, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5816&lon=-121.4944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA161

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude turn after takeoff.

## 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
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

According to the pilot, at 200 feet above ground level he made an initial climbing turn and his experimental homebuilt airplane snap-rolled.  He indicated that he recovered from the roll, but had insufficient remaining altitude to avoid colliding with the underlying rough terrain.

## Factual narrative

On April 5, 1996, at 0800 Pacific standard time, a Van Dyke GVD1, N94GV, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Riego Flight Strip Airport, near Sacramento, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight.  The private pilot, who built the experimental airplane, was not injured.

According to the pilot, the flight was originating at the time of the accident.  He reported that during an initial climbing turn, about 200 feet above ground level, his airplane snap rolled.  He stated that he recovered from the roll, but had insufficient remaining altitude to prevent crashing into the underlying rough terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94GV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94GV-1997-03-17), registration cancelled 1997-03-17, S/N GVD1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VAN DYKE GVD1
- Registry model: [Van Dyke Gary GVD1](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-dyke-gary-gvd1) (registry code 05624MB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GVD1
- Airframe hours: 46
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary D. Van Dyke
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1996, 4 hours before
- Departed: 2Q0
- Airport: 2Q0, Riego Flight Strip, runway 16, 2,380 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 727 total, 59 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19960405006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960405006079A), Apr 5, 1996: Verona, CA, Substantial damage. Inadvertently snap rolled on takeoff. Recovered. Too low prevent crash into rough terrain.

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.

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