National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Chillicothe, OH Accident Number: CEN19FA144

Date & Time: 05/18/2019, 1245 EDT Registration: N596JB
Aircraft: Vans RV6 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On May 18, 2019, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Vans RV6 A experimental amateur-built
airplane, N596JB, impacted trees and terrain near Chillicothe, Ohio. The private pilot, who was
the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed during the accident. The
airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the
time of the accident and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from
the Pickaway County Memorial Airport (CYO), near Circleville, Ohio, about 1230 and was
destined for the Pike County Airport, near Waverly, Ohio.

The airplane departed from CYO according to initial information from a witness at CYO. The
witness indicated that the airplane lifted off from the runway in a short distance.

According to a witness near the accident site, the airplane "engine slowed or stalled." The
engine "refired" and subsequently "stalled." The airplane was observed in a left bank turn and
the engine sounded "wide open." The airplane sound was "wide open" to the crash site.

The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot certificate with an
airplane single engine land rating. The pilot's last third-class FAA medical certificate was
issued to him on February 6, 2017 with no limitations. The pilot reported that he had
accumulated 1,967 hours of total fight time and 22 hours in the six months before that exam.
The pilot's logbook showed that he had a flight review completed on April 24, 2019. The pilot
applied for Basic Med courses.

N596JB was an experimental amateur-built Vans RV6 A, two-seat, low-wing, fixed tricycle gear
airplane, with serial number 24723. It was powered by a Mattituck TMXOF-360, 180-
horsepower engine with serial number 39-6. The engine drove a two-bladed, fixed pitch Prince
Aircraft Company propeller. Airplane records showed that the airplane's most condition
inspection was performed on September 4, 2018, and that the airplane had accumulated 830
hours total time at that date.

Page 1 of 3 CEN19FA144
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
At 1235, the recorded weather at the Ross County Airport (RZT), Chillicothe, Ohio, was: Wind
250° at 10 kts; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered clouds at 4,600 ft, scattered
clouds at 6,500 ft; temperature 27° C; dew point 16° C; altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.

The airplane wreckage came to rest in a wooded area about 145° and 12 nautical miles from
RZT. A tree trunk about 12 inches in diameter was separated about 30 ft above ground level.
The separated end of the upper portion of that tree came to rest on the ground. Fragments of
the airplane were found in the separation and in branches of the upper portion of the separated
tree. The rear section of fuselage and empennage came to rest about 57 ft and 70° from the
separated tree. The engine came to rest about 33 ft and 70° from the separated tree. The engine
cowling, canopy, wings, and forward portion of the fuselage were highly fragmented and found
in the branches of trees and on the ground between the separated tree and the empennage. The
rudder cables were traced from the rudder to the rear section of the fuselage. Elevator flight
control continuity was traced from its servo at the rear portion of the fuselage, aftward to its
control surface. All separations in flight control tubing exhibited separations consistent with
overload. The engine control cable was fragmented and was not able to be traced. Tree leaves
in the area of the empennage exhibited an appearance consistent with fuel blight. One engine
FADEC (full authority digital engine control) was found destroyed and the other FADEC
sustained minor damage. The engine speed sensor also exhibited minor damage. The engine
was disassembled and no preimpact anomalies were observed.

The Ross County Coroner's Office was asked to conduct an autopsy on the pilot and to take
toxicological samples.

The engine FADEC and speed sensor are being retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans Registration: N596JB
Model/Series: RV6 A Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

Page 2 of 3 CEN19FA144
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RZT, 725 ft msl Observation Time: 1235 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4600 ft agl Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / , 250°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Circleville, OH (CYO) Destination: Waverly, OH (EOP)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 39.284167, -82.874444
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Edward F Malinowski
Additional Participating Persons: Robert W Craig; Federal Aviation Administration; Cincinnati, OH
Kurt Gibson; Continental Motors; Mobile, AL
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Page 3 of 3 CEN19FA144
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.