James H Berard RV-6A N134CE

Summary

On 11 August 2012 at about 17:30 local time, a James H Berard RV-6A registered N134CE was involved in an accident near Westfield, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 August 2012 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Westfield, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Westfield (I72)

Coordinates

40.0489, -86.1578

Aircraft

James H Berard RV-6A

Registration

N134CE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Westfield → Newark

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA540

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff he noticed the airplane being pushed to the left side of the runway by the wind. He started to correct then noticed that the right wing was getting close to the ground. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to that point. He did not recall any subsequent events. The airplane came to rest inverted about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 36. Examination of the accident site found a 45-foot-long ground scar from the initial point of impact leading to the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure. The local weather observation indicated that a left crosswind of 8 knots or less existed at the time of the accident takeoff. The pilot later stated that he believed he inadvertently stalled the airplane on takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.