Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain and a subsequent cartwheel.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA026 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 12, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lusby, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Chesapeake Ranch (MD50)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Vans RV-4
- N-number
- N15WL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1994
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.