NTSB DEN06CA117 — 2006-08-24 · Erie, Colorado, United States

N442E has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (PIPER PA-32R-301, built 1982), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

N442E Gordon Vans RV-6 None

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he encountered a gust of wind during the takeoff roll from runway 15 (4,700 feet by 60 feet, concrete). The airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted terrain. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane, both the left and right wing spars were bent aft, the left main landing gear separated and the empennage was wrinkled. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. According to the routine aviation weather report (METAR) recorded at Jefferson County Airport, located 7 miles southwest of Erie, the winds were 070 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot estimated the winds to be 080 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The pilot stated that he encountered a gust of wind during the takeoff roll from runway 15. The airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. According to the routine aviation weather report (METAR) the winds were 070 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot estimated the winds to be 080 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 12 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2006_DEN06CA117.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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