Pilot Debrief

VANS RV6 near Ocracoke, NC — 2021-07-25

Final reportERA21LA299
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Date
2021-07-25
Location
Ocracoke, NC, USA
Airport
W95
Aircraft
VANS RV6
Registration
N464DM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to perform a go-around during the unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane landing too far down the runway, and a subsequent runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that windspeed at the nearest weather reporting facility was 14-16 knots, and the windsock at the accident airport indicated a 90° crosswind. He stated that his approach was “too high and fast”, and he crossed the runway threshold about 70 ft above ground level (AGL) at a speed of 90 mph. About ½ way down the runway, the airplane was about 30 ft AGL at a speed of about 45 mph, and “oscillating 20° either side of center.” The pilot believed he could “straighten the flight path and touch down in time to stop” before the end of the runway. However, a gust of wind “would not allow the aircraft to slow” and it ran off the end of the runway about 20 mph, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the rudder, and the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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