# NTSB WPR22LA156: Sawby Scott RV-6A, N341SS, Richland, WA, April 17, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 17, 2022, 16:01 local (23:01 UTC) - Place: Richland, WA - Coordinates: 46.305975, -119.30361 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3060&lon=-119.3036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104958/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104958 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA156 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sawby Scott RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05605TY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Sawby Scott RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05605TY), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Sawby Scott RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05605TY), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff ground roll, he slowly started to pull the control stick back for takeoff after the airplane attained 55-60 knots. The airplane subsequently veered left off the runway despite application of full right rudder. The airplane’s left wing struck sage brush, which caused the airplane to cartwheel and nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N341SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N341SS-2025-11-29), registration cancelled 2025-11-29, S/N 23894, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SAWBY SCOTT RV-6A - Registry model: [Sawby Scott RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sawby-scott-rv-6a) (registry code 05605TY) (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: 23894 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 1490.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 2021 - Destination: W20, Moses Lake, WA - Airport: RLD, Richland Airport, runway 01, 4,009 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 92 total, 22 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: KRLD - METAR: METAR KRLD 172255Z AUTO 09008KT 10SM CLR 14/M04 A3024 RMK AO2 T01441042= ## 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 20220417005559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220417005559A), Apr 17, 2022: Sawby Scott RV-6A, Richland, WA, Substantial damage. On departure from RWY01 at krld, shortly after rotation, the pilot felt the aircraft lurch to the left and attempted to correct with full right rudder input.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104958. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13984258&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AAA%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1_WPR22LA156_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 452 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14146303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.