Pilot Debrief

Vans RV 6 near Lakeland, FL — 2019-09-23

Final reportERA19TA277
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Date
2019-09-23
Location
Lakeland, FL, USA
Airport
X49
Aircraft
Vans RV 6
Registration
N12033
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to maintain control due to passenger interference.

NTSB narrative

The pilot, who was also a flight instructor, stated that the airplane owner contacted him for tailwheel instruction in his recently purchased airplane. The owner did not hold a pilot certificate, but the pilot agreed to fly the airplane with the owner as a passenger. The pilot stated that, during landing approach, “the airplane banked to the left and pitch[ed] down about 8 or 10 degrees.” The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, but the controls were “very stiff.” He recalled heading toward the trees and tried again to move the controls; this time, the airplane pitched up slightly, but not enough to slow the descent. The airplane impacted trees and the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that he thought the passenger applied control inputs during landing, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane. He stated that the airplane “definitely did not stall.” He also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The owner of the airplane did not provide a statement regarding the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have refused to fly with an unlicensed owner as passenger.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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