Pilot Debrief

NICHOLSON DAVID F RV 9 near Allison, IA — 2016-03-22

Final reportGAA16CA154
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Date
2016-03-22
Location
Allison, IA, USA
Airport
K98
Aircraft
NICHOLSON DAVID F RV 9
Registration
N347N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper soft-field landing technique, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse and a nose over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while landing on a grass airstrip, the nose landing gear "caught" on the soft turf and collapsed. The airplane slid about 60 feet, the forward portion of the fuselage impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and firewall. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported to keep the nose landing gear off the ground longer during the landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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