Pilot Debrief

MEAD RV 8A near Farmington, MO — 2016-12-27

Final reportCEN17LA061
Sign in to save
Date
2016-12-27
Location
Farmington, MO, USA
Airport
FAM
Aircraft
MEAD RV 8A
Registration
N918KS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff in crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot reported that all indications were normal during takeoff in the experimental amateur-built airplane. The airplane accelerated normally and became airborne, then the left wing raised, which the pilot assumed was the result of the left crosswind conditions. He applied a correction to the left; however, he overcorrected and the airplane entered a steep left bank. After regaining control of the airplane, the pilot noted that the airplane was about 60° from the runway heading, and he thought that the airplane was too low to correct back to runway heading. The pilot reduced power to land on airport property; however, the terrain was rough and the left wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after initial wing lift issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps