Pilot Debrief

MILLER J KIRTLEY RV-6 near Martinsville, VA — 2008-11-07

Final reportERA09LA043
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Date
2008-11-07
Location
Martinsville, VA, USA
Airport
VA72
Aircraft
MILLER J KIRTLEY RV-6
Registration
N8LK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine.

NTSB narrative

After bouncing on the runway, the pilot aborted the landing and added full engine power. The airplane began to climb, yawed to the left, and struck some small tree branches on the left side of the runway. The pilot corrected back toward the right; however, as the airplane approached the right side of the runway, in a nose-high attitude, it began a slow left yaw and roll. The airplane’s left wing impacted the runway, followed by the propeller and right wing, in a near-vertical attitude. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot had accumulated about 800 flight hours in a similar type airplane and had landed at the airport on numerous occasions. Toxicological testing revealed that chlorpheniramine, an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine, was detected in the pilot's blood. The level was several times higher than the level expected with a typical maximum single over-the-counter dose. In typical doses, the medication has measurable adverse effects on performance of complex and cognitive and motor tasks.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing earlier after the initial bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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