Pilot Debrief

Newcomer RV6 near Monticello, GA — 2010-10-16

Final reportERA11LA022
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Date
2010-10-16
Location
Monticello, GA, USA
Airport
GA06
Aircraft
Newcomer RV6
Registration
N13KN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of aircraft control during the initial climb.

NTSB narrative

Several eyewitnesses reported seeing the airplane as it was in the initial climb phase. They said that the airplane rolled to the left into a near 90-degree bank, descended, collided with the ground, and then exploded. The engine continued to operate at high power until ground impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. Results of postmortem toxicology testing on the pilot were consistent with the use of a prescription antidepressant. The medication levels obtained from blood samples were on the lower end of the therapeutic range. The role of any possible impairment from the medication or the condition for which the medication was prescribed could not be conclusively determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when the aircraft began to roll left.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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