Pilot Debrief

HARTZ PAUL RV-6A near Lake City, FL — 2022-03-17

Final reportERA22LA164
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Date
2022-03-17
Location
Lake City, FL, USA
Airport
15FL
Aircraft
HARTZ PAUL RV-6A
Registration
N447P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in overload bending of the nose landing gear leg and subsequent nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was previously aware of the nose-over issue of the various models of the aircraft, and as such was very cautious during landing. He attempted to recover after bouncing on a grass runway but on the second touchdown with aft elevator control input, the nose landing gear dug in and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. He indicated that he should have done an immediate go-around as a result of the bounced landing, and not attempted to recover. According to the photographs and information provided by airplane owner/pilot, the nose gear leg was bent aft about 60° beginning about 2.25 inches from the landing gear mount. Equipment that was attached to the nose gear leg was permanently deformed. The airplane was equipped with upgraded nose gear leg and nose wheel fork that were specified by Van’s Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 07-11-09. Those components were designed to reduce the likelihood of fork axle-to-runway surface contact during nose gear overload conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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