Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Byron, California, May 18, 2021
On May 18, 2021 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built RV-6, registered N16CX, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Byron, California (Byron airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff while operating in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 2021 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Byron, California · Byron · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6, built 2004
- Registration
- N16CX · no longer on the register · serial 23159
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the wind was variable and gusting from the left. He initiated the takeoff roll and applied left aileron and right rudder pedal pressure. The tailwheel lifted from the ground about 40 knots ground speed and the airplane veered to the left. Subsequently the pilot applied full right rudder and simultaneously applied full left aileron, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff roll as he believed that the airplane would start to climb. However, the airplane collided with a drainage culvert located about 25 ft from the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and ribs. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. The METAR located at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind direction was from 230° with a velocity of 20 knots and gusting to 25 knots. The pilot was departing from runway 23.
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 on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,074 hours in all; 1,814 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 2,031 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 21, 2020
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,809.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 11, 2020; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 1,809 hours total
The flight
- Destination: LVK Livermore CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KC83, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KC83 182115Z AUTO 23020G25KT 9SM CLR 28/04 A2999 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2021. 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 | Photograph | 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.