Thomas J Hankamp VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV4 N9214

Summary

On 28 July 2017 at about 16:17 local time, a Thomas J Hankamp VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV4 registered N9214 was involved in an accident near Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 July 2017 at 16:17

Classification

Accident

Location

Poughkeepsie, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Hudson Valley Rgnl (POU)

Coordinates

41.6275, -73.8842

Aircraft

Thomas J Hankamp VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV4

Registration

N9214

Category

Airplane

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Poughkeepsie → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA480

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a "taxi test" in crosswind conditions, he overcorrected, and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 5 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 06. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that, throughout many conversations with the pilot, the initial statement was that the pilot lost control during takeoff and did have intent for flight. The FAA inspector verified this after talking with the local tower, who had cleared the airplane for takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.