Tecnam P2008 accident near Warrenton, Virginia, July 19, 2016
On July 19, 2016 at about 4:33 pm local time, a 2015 Tecnam P2008, registered N615BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Warrenton, Virginia (Warrenton-Fauquier airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to begin the takeoff roll with helicopter traffic on the runway, which led to a rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper use of the toe brakes, which he had limited experience using and resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2016 · about 4:33 pm local time
- Place
- Warrenton, Virginia · Warrenton-Fauquier · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Tecnam P2008, built 2015
- Registration
- N615BS · registry record · serial 105
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot reported that he was on the ramp ready for departure and that he was aware of helicopter traffic in the airport traffic pattern. He turned right onto the runway and saw a helicopter hovering over the runway ahead of him. He initiated the takeoff roll but then chose to reject the takeoff to avoid a possible collision. He stated that he pushed too hard on the left toe brake and that the airplane then departed the left side of the runway. The airplane then nosed down in the grass, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had recently transitioned to the airplane with toe brakes from his previous airplane, which was equipped with a hand brake. He had only logged about 7 hours of flight time in the accident airplane make and model. It is likely that the pilot's lack of experience using a toe brake led to his failure to use it properly.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,295 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 38 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 24, 2016; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 38 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HWY Warrenton VA at 4:33 pm
- Destination: HWY Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,700 ft; scat at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 4:35 pm from HWY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 11, 2017. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | 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.