National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Final Report

Location: Milton, Delaware Accident Number: ERA20CA298

Date & Time: August 27, 2020, 14:00 Local Registration: N628JB
Aircraft: Vans RV6 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Controlled flight into terr/obj
Defining Event: Injuries: 2 Minor
(CFIT)
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Under:

Analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilots to calibrate a newly installed avionic equipment in
the airplane. The owner of the airplane was seated in the airplane’s right seat, while the other
pilot, who was acting as pilot-in-command for the flight was seated in the left seat. After
takeoff, the pilot handed off controls to the owner and requested that the owner perform two
360° turns while he calibrated the equipment. After the two turns, the owner let go of the flight
controls and the pilot manipulated the controls to demonstrate the functioning of the g-meter.
Both the pilot and the owner believed the other was flying the airplane after this
demonstration. After deciding that they would return to the departure airport, the airplane was
flying low and almost impacted the ground twice. On both occasions, the pilot pulled up, then
once again let go of the controls believing that the owner was flying the airplane. Both
expressed discomfort with how the other was flying the airplane, but neither communicated
their concerns to the other in a way that was understood, nor did either confirm who was flying
the airplane. The third time the airplane neared terrain, the owner called for the pilot to pull up
just as the pilot was about to take control of the airplane. The airplane then impacted a field,
flipped over, and came to rest inverted. The fuselage, wings, and empennage of the airplane
sustained substantial damage. Both the pilot and owner stated that there were no preimpact
malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of

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who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timely action to avoid a collision with
terrain.

Findings
Personnel issues Lack of communication - Pilot
Personnel issues Lack of communication - Owner/builder
Personnel issues Delayed action - Owner/builder
Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Maneuvering Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information
Certificate: Private; Sport Pilot Age: 38,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: January 26, 2016
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 30, 2019
Flight Time: 296 hours (Total, all aircraft), 79 hours (Total, this make and model), 259 hours (Pilot In
Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot-rated passenger Information

Certificate: Private Age: 55,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Last FAA Medical Exam: September 17, 2019
waivers/limitations
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 31, 2018
Flight Time: 2140 hours (Total, all aircraft), 135 hours (Total, this make and model), 2020 hours (Pilot In
Command, all aircraft), 15.1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Vans Registration: N628JB
Model/Series: RV6 A Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004 Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special) Serial Number: 23492
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 2, 2020 Condition Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 395 Hrs at time of accident Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed Engine Model/Series: O-360-A1A
Registered Owner: Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GED,53 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:54 Local Direction from Accident Site: 219°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 20 knots Turbulence Type Unknown / Unknown
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270° Turbulence Severity N/A / N/A
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Milton, DE (DE25) Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Milton, DE (DE25) Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:50 Local Type of Airspace: Class G

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Airport Information
Airport: Eagle Crest-Hudson DE25 Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 28 ft msl Runway Surface
Condition:
Runway Used: IFR Approach: None
Runway VFR Approach/Landing: None
Length/Width:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft None
Explosion:
Total Injuries: 2 Minor Latitude, 38.810276,-75.237777(est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Spencer, Lynn
Additional Participating James T McShane; FAA/FSDO; Philadelphia, PA
Persons:
Original Publish Date: June 24, 2021 Investigation Class: 4
Note: This accident report documents the factual circumstances of this accident as described
to the NTSB.
Investigation Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101878

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 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an
independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation
accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety
recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the
safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The
NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports,
safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and
statistical reviews.

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b),

precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report
related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from
a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible
under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

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