History of Flight
On March 1, 2016, at approximately 0840 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Van's RV-6A airplane, registration N419B, impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 35 at Elmdale Airpark (82TS) near Abilene, Texas. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The intended destination was Henderson, Nevada.
A witness reported that he transported the pilot and passenger from a local hotel to the airport. The pilot had refueled the airplane the previous day upon arrival. After a preflight inspection and engine run-up that sounded normal, the airplane taxied to the threshold of runway 35. The windsock indicated winds from the north-northwest. Following takeoff, the airplane drifted slightly right in a wings-level climbing attitude. A left turn to the west with a bank angle exceeding 30° began, and the airplane pitched nose-up followed by an immediate nose-down spin to the left. The witness lost sight of the airplane due to terrain and later drove to the accident site.
Recorded data from the airplane's avionics showed that at 0822:07, the airplane was on the ramp west of the runway. Due to unrecovered data between 0822:07 and 0839:11, the taxi path could not be determined. By 0839:11, the airplane began its takeoff roll. Around 0839:34, it started a climbing roll to the right. By 0839:45, it began to roll left and track left. The last data point at 0839:49 showed a GPS altitude of 1,930 ft, a pitch-down attitude, a left roll exceeding 80°, and an indicated airspeed of 79 knots.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 63, held an FAA airline transport pilot certificate with multi-engine rating and commercial privileges for single-engine land airplanes. He held a second-class medical certificate issued February 16, 2016, with a limitation requiring glasses for near vision. He reported 8,010 total flight hours and 10 hours in the previous 6 months.
Aircraft Information
The Van's RV-6A was constructed from a kit and completed in 2001, with a special airworthiness certificate issued August 4, 2001. It was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with side-by-side seating, aluminum construction, and fixed tricycle landing gear. The engine was a Lycoming O-360-C1G (180 horsepower) driving a two-bladed constant-speed Hartzell propeller. A condition inspection was completed May 4, 2015, at 791.2 total hours. The pilot signed an FAA registration application on January 10, 2016.
The kit manufacturer specified stall speeds for a typical RV-6 in coordinated flight: flaps retracted, 49 knots at 0° bank, 53 knots at 30°, 58 knots at 45°, and 69 knots at 60°; flaps extended, 45 knots at 0°, 49 knots at 30°, 54 knots at 45°, and 64 knots at 60°.
Meteorological Information
At 0752, the Abilene Regional Airport (about 3 miles from 82TS) reported wind 340° at 12 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 11°C, dew point 2°C, and altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest upright approximately 189 ft from the departure end of runway 35 on a magnetic heading of 330°. The propeller and flange separated from the crankshaft; the propeller was embedded about 1 ft deep in the ground, with chordwise abrasions and leading-edge nicks. The engine mounts and cowling were crushed rearward. Both wings exhibited aft deformation from a nose-low impact. The empennage remained attached with wrinkle deformation at the fuselage juncture.
The cockpit canopy was separated with the latch in the latched position and deformed; the canopy handle was missing, and the handle block center section showed a vertical tear. The left aileron separated. Flight control continuity was established. Fuel lines contained liquid consistent with 100LL aviation fuel. Both magnetos produced sparks when rotated. The engine-driven fuel pump produced suction. One spark plug was oil-fouled; others showed normal combustion color. The carburetor screen was clean. Engine control continuity was confirmed. The engine produced thumb compression, and crankshaft and camshaft continuity were established.
Additional Information
According to the manager of Carroll County Airport (4M1) near Berryville, Arkansas, the pilot arrived there on February 27, 2016. The manager noted the pilot sounded unfamiliar with radio phraseology and made a low approach. The pilot refueled with 12.5 gallons of 100LL and remarked on low fuel consumption. He purchased motor oil but was not observed adding it. On February 28, the airplane departed with the pilot and a male passenger. The manager again noted radio unfamiliarity; the pilot asked about the tower and requested Razorback Approach frequency. The departure was from runway 25 into a left-quartering headwind of 11 knots gusting to 43 knots. The manager reported it was very windy, and the pilot appeared to lift off before sufficient airspeed. The climb-out appeared uncoordinated, but the engine sounded normal. Data from that departure showed a straight-ahead climb with airspeed exceeding groundspeed, consistent with a headwind.
It could not be determined which occupant was manipulating the controls during the accident flight.
Flight Recorders
The airplane was equipped with a Dynon SkyView SV-D700 display unit. Data from the accident flight and the February 28 departure were recovered. The unit's memory chip had corrupt data that was discarded.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's cause of death was massive blunt force trauma. The medical examiner reported cardiomegaly and moderate to severe coronary atherosclerosis but no ischemic heart muscle damage. Toxicology testing detected hydroxyzine, venlafaxine, and norvenlafaxine in cavity blood. FAA testing detected THC in lung, brain, liver, and cavity blood, as well as THC-COOH in multiple tissues. On his FAA medical application, the pilot denied medical concerns or medication use, but personal records from January 2016 documented a history of psychiatric hospitalizations, recurrent major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia, with prescribed medications including bupropion, venlafaxine, buspirone, clonazepam, and hydroxyzine.
The passenger, aged 33, was not a pilot. A flight training handbook was found among his belongings. His cause of death was also massive blunt force trauma. Toxicology testing detected ethanol at 0.126–0.127 g/dl in blood and 0.141–0.150 g/dl in vitreous.