Pilot Debrief

AHRENS GERD H RV 6 near Pratt, KS — 2015-03-07

Final reportCEN15FA163
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Date
2015-03-07
Location
Pratt, KS, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
AHRENS GERD H RV 6
Registration
N4074V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A hard landing, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of directional control and the airplane’s subsequent nose-over.

NTSB narrative

While landing on a grass airstrip, the airplane ran off the right side of the airstrip, nosed over, and then came to rest inverted. There were no witnesses to the accident. Ground scars on the airstrip were consistent with a hard landing. An examination of the airframe, landing gear, brakes, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Acquaintances of the pilot reported that he had complained of depth perception problems and had been landing the airplane hard. The pilot was denied a medical certificate due to health concerns noted by the air medical examiner. Investigators were not able to determine the pilot's recent flight experience. It is likely that the pilot landed the airplane hard and was unable to maintain directional control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot's medical issues and depth perception concerns should have grounded him.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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