# NTSB WPR21LA199: Harry Crosby RV-6, N16CX, Byron, CA, May 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 18, 2021, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Byron, CA · Airport - Coordinates: 37.828444, -121.62583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8284&lon=-121.6258&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103105/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103105 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff while operating in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Crosby Harry RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05617VO), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Crosby Harry RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617VO), [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: [Crosby Harry RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617VO), [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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Crosby Harry RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617VO), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the wind was variable and gusting from the left. He initiated the takeoff roll and applied left aileron and right rudder pedal pressure. The tailwheel lifted from the ground about 40 knots ground speed and the airplane veered to the left. Subsequently the pilot applied full right rudder and simultaneously applied full left aileron, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff roll as he believed that the airplane would start to climb. However, the airplane collided with a drainage culvert located about 25 ft from the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and ribs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The METAR located at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind direction was from 230° with a velocity of 20 knots and gusting to 25 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 23. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16CX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16CX-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 23159, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Harry Crosby (Vans) RV-6 - Registry model: [Crosby Harry RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/crosby-harry-rv-6) (registry code 05617VO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23159 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1809.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harry L. Crosby - Registered owner: Harry L. Crosby - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 11, 2020, 25 hours before - Destination: LVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: C83, Byron, runway 23, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 88; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,074 total, 1,814 in this make and model, 2,031 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KC83, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KC83 182115Z AUTO 23020G25KT 9SM CLR 28/04 A2999 RMK AO2= ## 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 20210518008509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210518008509A), May 18, 2021: Crosby Harry RV-6, Byron, CA, Substantial damage. Received notification of accident at C83. Dispatched to airport, aircraft was still in place upon arrival at scene. Aircraft was resting 600' down the runway,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103105. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12331621&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted_-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12330452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photograph-Rel.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.