Pilot Debrief

James H Berard RV-6A near Westfield, IN — 2012-08-11

Final reportCEN12LA540
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Date
2012-08-11
Location
Westfield, IN, USA
Airport
I72
Aircraft
James H Berard RV-6A
Registration
N134CE
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff he noticed the airplane being pushed to the left side of the runway by the wind. He started to correct then noticed that the right wing was getting close to the ground. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to that point. He did not recall any subsequent events. The airplane came to rest inverted about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 36. Examination of the accident site found a 45-foot-long ground scar from the initial point of impact leading to the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure. The local weather observation indicated that a left crosswind of 8 knots or less existed at the time of the accident takeoff. The pilot later stated that he believed he inadvertently stalled the airplane on takeoff.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when wind drift was first noticed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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