Collins RV6A N576RV

Summary

On 18 August 2016 at about 20:30 local time, a Collins RV6A registered N576RV was involved in an accident near Pekin, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 August 2016 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pekin, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Pekin Muni (C15)

Coordinates

40.4881, -89.6758

Aircraft

Collins RV6A

Registration

N576RV

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pekin → Sterling/Rockfalls

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA329

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his subsequent distraction and failure to maintain control while attempting to close the open canopy, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that, before takeoff, he waited with the engine running for about 10 minutes while other traffic departed. While waiting, he unlatched the canopy to allow air into the cockpit; however, he failed to re-secure the canopy before takeoff. Just after the airplane lifted off the runway, the canopy tilted up, and, while attempting to close it, the pilot "got distracted and neglected to fly the airplane." The airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and impacted terrain. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.