Summary
On October 12, 2019, a Llewellyn, Warwinc W Vans RV-4 (N15WL) was involved in an accident near Lusby, MD. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent cartwheel.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taking off, just after rotation, the right wing dropped, and the airplane started to drift right. The right wing struck the runway and the nose and the left wing then impacted terrain. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An airport's automated weather observation station located 4 miles to the south reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 3 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 31.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA20CA026. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N15WL.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent cartwheel.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while taking off, just after rotation, the right wing dropped, and the airplane started to drift right. The right wing struck the runway and the nose and the left wing then impacted terrain. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An airport's automated weather observation station located 4 miles to the south reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 3 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 31.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA20CA026