Amateur-built Vans RV-4 accident near Lusby, Maryland, October 12, 2019
On October 12, 2019 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 1994 amateur-built Vans RV-4, registered N15WL, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lusby, Maryland (Chesapeake Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent cartwheel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 2019 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Lusby, Maryland · Chesapeake Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vans RV-4 150, built 1994
- Registration
- N15WL · no longer on the register · serial 1868
- 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, while taking off and just after rotation, the right wing dropped, and the airplane started to drift right. The right wing struck the runway, followed by the nose and the left wing. The airplane cart wheeled and came to rest in grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 608 hours in all; 452 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 544 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 17, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 790.0 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 23, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,662 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MD50 Lusby MD at 1:45 pm
- Destination: MD50 Lusby MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 1:52 pm from KNHK, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 20, 2019. 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 | Damage Photo | 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.