Sunday, May 07, 2017

Van's RV6A, N576RV: Accident occurred August 18, 2016 at Pekin Municipal Airport (C15), Tazewell County, Illinois

Aviation Accident Final Report- National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois

http://registry.faa.gov/N576RV

NTSB Identification: CEN16LA329
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Pekin, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/01/2017
Aircraft: COLLINS RV6A, registration: N576RV
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The private pilot stated that, before takeoff, he waited with the engine running for about 10 minutes while other traffic departed. While waiting, he unlatched the canopy to allow air into the cockpit; however, he failed to re-secure the canopy before takeoff. Just after the airplane lifted off the runway, the canopy tilted up, and, while attempting to close it, the pilot “got distracted and neglected to fly the airplane.” The airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his subsequent distraction and failure to maintain control while attempting to close the open canopy, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.



On August 18, 2016, about 1530 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Collins RV6A airplane, N576RV, impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 27 at the Pekin Municipal Airport (C15), near Pekin, Illinois. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating from C15 at the time of the accident and was destined for the Whiteside County Airport-Jos H Bittorf Field, near Sterling/Rockfalls, Illinois.

According to an initial first-responder, the pilot indicated that he had forgotten to latch the canopy. The canopy opened during the takeoff and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain.

After the accident, the pilot made an emergency radio call over C15's common traffic advisory frequency, which went unanswered. The pilot made a cell phone call and was able to reach a representative from the fixed base operator (FBO) who subsequently went to the accident site and notified emergency responders. The pilot was taken to a hospital for the serious injuries he sustained.

The pilot indicated in his accident report that a jet delayed his takeoff. He reported the outside air temperature was over 90 degrees and he unlatched the canopy to get air into the cockpit. The jet departed after 10 minutes. The pilot subsequently departed and about 30 feet above ground he noticed the canopy was unlatched. He attempted to close the latch, got distracted, and did not maintain airplane control.

At 1454, the recorded weather at the General Downing - Peoria International Airport, near Peoria, Illinois, was: Wind 210 degrees at 12 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 31 degrees C; dew point 22 degrees C; altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury.

The FBO employee indicated that a crucial thing to be taken away from this accident is that the local radio frequency at small town airports should be able to be heard in every room of the FBO or airport office.



NTSB Identification: CEN16LA329
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Pekin, IL
Aircraft: COLLINS RV6A, registration: N576RV
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 18, 2016, about 1520 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Collins RV6A airplane, N576RV, impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 27 at the Pekin Municipal Airport (C15), near Pekin, Illinois. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damage during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating from C15 at the time of the accident and its destination is unknown.

According to an initial first-responder report given to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot indicated that he had forgotten to latch the canopy. The canopy opened during the takeoff and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain where it was substantially damaged.

After the accident, the pilot made an emergency radio call over C15's common traffic advisory frequency, which went unanswered. The pilot was able to make a cell phone call and was able to reach a representative from the fixed base operator who subsequently went to the accident site and notified emergency responders. The pilot was taken to a hospital for the serious injuries he sustained.

At 1454, the recorded weather at the General Downing - Peoria International Airport, near Peoria, Illinois, was: Wind 210 degrees at 12 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 31 degrees C; dew point 22 degrees C; altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury.

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