Undetermined · NTSB CEN09LA538
BROWN JOSEPH B JR RV-6 — Ama, LA
| Date | August 23, 2009 |
| Location | Ama, LA |
| Aircraft | BROWN JOSEPH B JR RV-6 (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Instructional |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Post-impact Fire/smoke (post-impact) |
| Pilot age | 61 |
| Pilot total time | 361 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | 31 hrs |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
The pilot was anxious about flying the airplane and had elected to hire a flight instructor for further training. According to a witness, the airplane taxied from the hangar to the end of the runway. The airplane remained at the departure end of the runway for several minutes consistent with performing a before-takeoff check. The airplane initiated a takeoff roll and shortly thereafter veered off of the runway to the left. The airplane then struck several trees head on and was immediately engulfed in flames. An examination of the airplane, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have affected the takeoff.