N519JS John Bradley VANS RV-7 accident

NTSB ERA26LA210 · 2026-05-15 · Athens, GA · near AHN

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The pilot/builder had recently completed constructing the experimental amateur-built airplane and had successfully flown for about 15 hours over three days. On the day of the accident, he had completed seven takeoffs and landings and was preparing for another takeoff in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. According to the pilot, he aligned the airplane with the runway heading to take off. As he slowly applied engine power, the airplane began to turn “hard” to the left. The pilot attempted to add right rudder input to correct the left turn, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, and ground looped in the grass. The pilot estimated that the airplane traveled a total of 235 ft down the runway from where power was applied to where the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron and empennage during the runway excursion. The pilot examined the airplane after the accident and found that the left wheel was “hot” difficult to rotate. He disassembled the left wheel and brake system and observed that there were significant grooves in the brake pads and debris lodged within the brake rotor.

Probable cause

Contamination of the left wheel brake system with debris, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

NONE

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

90

Wind speed (kt)

6

Temperature (F)

57

Nearest airport

ATHENS/BEN EPPS

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

812

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings