Amateur-built MOYES DRAGONFLY accident near Melfa, Virginia, June 16, 2014
On June 16, 2014 at about 1:00 pm local time, a 2000 amateur-built MOYES DRAGONFLY, registered N286A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Melfa, Virginia (Accomack County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain roll control during the initial takeoff and his decision to take off with only partial power applied.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2014 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Melfa, Virginia · Accomack County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MOYES DRAGONFLY, built 2000
- Registration
- N286A · registry record · serial B025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he initiated the takeoff and that, as soon as the airplane lifted off, it banked sharply left and then impacted the edge of the runway in a "slightly nose-down, left banking attitude." Opposite flight control inputs had no effect. Wind conditions were variable at less than 4 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An attachment tube for the right aileron was found broken, and an examination of the tube revealed evidence of overstress, likely as a result of the crash. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the passenger did not have hearing protection with her, so the pilot initiated the takeoff with about 2/3 of power applied.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,904 hours in all; 100 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 13, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,112 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 24, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MFV Melfa VA at 1:00 pm
- Destination: MFV Melfa VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from MFV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 5, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Correspondence - FAA Inspector Statement with Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 - Wreckage from Front (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 2 - Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 3 - Broken Aileron Control Tube (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 4 - Aileron Tube Fracture Surface (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.