# NTSB MIA97LA199: Sloan RV-6, N626BA, Muscle Shoals, AL, June 28, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1997, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Muscle Shoals, AL
- Coordinates: 34.750488, -87.699188 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7505&lon=-87.6992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA199

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the bales of hay duirng the takeoff roll, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a bale at liftoff and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - other
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated before takeoff, he noted bales of hay located along both sides of the takeoff area. He began the takeoff roll on the backside of a small hill. As the airplane came over the top, the pilot realized the airplane's heading was too far to the left. Full right rudder did not correct the situation. The pilot pulled back on the yoke, the airplane became airborne, and the left wing collided with a hay bale.

## Factual narrative

On June 28, 1997, about 1015 central daylight time, a Sloan RV-6 experimental airplane, N626BA, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while on takeoff roll from a private strip near Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated, before the takeoff roll, he noted bales of hay located along both sides of the takeoff area.  The pilot began the takeoff roll on the backside of a small slope.  As the airplane came over the top of the slope, the pilot realized the airplane was heading into obstacles and that he had 3 to 5 seconds to react before a collision with a hay bale would occur.  Full right rudder did not correct the situation.  The pilot pulled back on the yoke, the airplane became airborne, the left wing collided with the bale of hay, and spun around 180 degrees before impacting the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N626BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N626BA), registered now, S/N 20650, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sloan RV-6
- Registry model: [Sloan Alex RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/sloan-alex-rv-6) (registry code 05625D9) (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: 20650
- Airframe hours: 127
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alexander Moses Sloan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1996, 47 hours before
- Destination: MSL, AL
- Airport: runway 36, 1,500 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 661 total, 127 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 9 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 19970628016259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970628016259A), Jun 28, 1997: Amtr RV6, Muscle Shoals, AL, Substantial damage. Departing Private strip wing. Hit a hay bale. Had rotated to miss bale but failed. Cartwheeled to stop. (-23) pilot stated that on takeoff roll and as he went…

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.