GERALD DONOVAN RANS S-16
Los Lunas, NM — July 12, 2017
Event Information
| Date | July 12, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA407 |
| Event ID | 20170713X45516 |
| Location | Los Lunas, NM |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.76111, -106.74500 |
| Airport | MID VALLEY AIRPARK |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | GERALD DONOVAN |
| Model | RANS S-16 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that he was performing a "test flight" and had accumulated about 2 hours of total flight time previously with the airplane. He added that, during the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left and he responded by applying right rudder and aft pitch to rotate the airplane. He added that, as the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane continued to the left and impacted weeds and a ditch.
The elevator, wings, and right aileron sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.