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June 11, 2003 · Ayers RV-6A · N221SA

St. Simons Isld, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
St. Simons Isld, GA
Aircraft
Ayers RV-6A
Tail Number
N221SA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03CA105

According to the pilot, the right control stick was secured with the passenger seat belt, acting as a gust lock. The pilot stated that he took off without removing the seat belt from the control stick. When the airplane pitched up, it veered to the left side of the runway, the pilot reduced engine power, landed off the left side of the runway and flipped inverted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in his failure to remove the seatbelt (flight control gust lock) from the right side flight control stick.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 2003, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Steven Ayers experimental RV-6A, N221SA, owned and operated by the private pilot landed off the runway and flipped over during an aborted takeoff at Malcolm McKinnon Airport, St. Simons Island, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 and instrument flight rules. Visual weather conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the experimental airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the right control stick was secured with the passenger seat belt, acting as a gust lock. The pilot stated that he took off without removing the seat belt from the control stick. When the airplane pitched up, it veered to the left side of the runway, the pilot reduced engine power, landed off the left side of the runway and flipped inverted. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest AirportDUMMY (1nm)
Runway22
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyers RV-6A
Tail NumberN221SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data