Pilot Debrief

Vans RV6 near Cape Girardeau, MO — 2018-10-09

Final reportWPR19LA006
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Date
2018-10-09
Location
Cape Girardeau, MO, USA
Airport
CGI
Aircraft
Vans RV6
Registration
N451JP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, his failure to conduct a go-around, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway departure and nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were landing in gusting crosswind conditions following a local flight. The passenger stated that the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway, bounced several times, departed the right side of the runway, and subsequently nosed over; a witness on the ground also watched the airplane bounce, depart the runway surface, and nose over in the grass. Weather observations indicated a left crosswind component between 9 and 15 knots about the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the accident is consistent with the pilot's failure to attain a proper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the bounced landing, during which he failed to conduct a go-around. Subsequently, he did not maintain directional control, which resulted in the runway departure and nose-over.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have executed a go-around after the first bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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