Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the bales of hay duirng the takeoff roll, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a bale at liftoff and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 28, 1997, about 1015 central daylight time, a Sloan RV-6 experimental airplane, N626BA, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while on takeoff roll from a private strip near Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated, before the takeoff roll, he noted bales of hay located along both sides of the takeoff area. The pilot began the takeoff roll on the backside of a small slope. As the airplane came over the top of the slope, the pilot realized the airplane was heading into obstacles and that he had 3 to 5 seconds to react before a collision with a hay bale would occur. Full right rudder did not correct the situation. The pilot pulled back on the yoke, the airplane became airborne, the left wing collided with the bale of hay, and spun around 180 degrees before impacting the terrain.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA97LA199