# Accident 20151113023389A: Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, Winter Haven, FL, November 13, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 13, 2015, 10:35 local time
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Airport: Winter Haven Gilbert Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0628° N, 81.7519° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0628&lon=-81.7519&mi=10
- Aircraft: N688KA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N688KA-2024-01-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES (registry code 05628KM, https://openairdocs.org/model/sweeney-timothy-j-rans-s6-es) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912UL series (registry code 55571, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEENEY TIMOTHY J RANS S6-ES
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912UL
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,662 total, 770 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA053) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151113023389A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 13, 2015 AT THE WINTER HAVEN AIRPORT - KGIF AT 10:30 EST. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD - SKY CLEAR, WIND LIGHT FROM THE NORTHEAST. I WAS LANDING IN THE GRASS BETWEEN RUNWAY 05 AND THE ADJACENT TAXIWAY. THE APPROACH WAS A LITTLE FAST AND THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED SLIGHTLY AS I TOUCHED DOWN. THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE NOSE GEAR SNAPPED OFF, THEN DUG IN, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP OVER THE NOSE AND COME TO REST INVERTED.

THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE NOSE GEAR, PROPELLER, ENGINE MOUNT AND VERTICAL STABILIZER. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE PLANE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY AND SUFFERED MINOR CUTS AND ABRASIONS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA16CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA053), Nov 13, 2015: Sweeney Timothy J Rans S6-ES (N688KA), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and nose over.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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