# NTSB ANC05CA031: Dickson RV-7A, N429WD, Panacea, FL, February 12, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 12, 2005, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Panacea, FL
- Coordinates: 29.989444, -84.395278
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9894&lon=-84.3953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA031

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, the collapse of the nose gear, and subsequent nose over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - runway
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot of the experimental airplane reported that during a series of high-speed taxi tests the airplane became airborne, and he elected to continue around the pattern and land.  During the approach to land the airplane was "at a high rate of descent, and bounced on the main gear."  The airplane then landed on the nose gear, which collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the left wingtip, canopy, and rudder.

## Factual narrative

On February 12, 2005, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Dickson RV-7A experimental airplane, N429WD, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Wakulla County Airport, Panacea, Florida. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated March 10, the pilot reported that during a series of high-speed taxi tests the airplane became airborne, and he elected to continue around the pattern and land.  He wrote that during the approach to land the airplane was "at a high rate of descent," and bounced on the main gear.  He wrote the airplane then landed on the nose gear, which collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.  He reported that the airplane received damage to the left wingtip, canopy, and rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N429WD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Dickson RV-7A
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 71201
- Engines: Mattituck TMX-O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: Walter Dickson
- Registered owner: Walter Dickson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 2J0, Panacea, FL
- Destination: 2J0
- Airport: 2J0, Wakulla County Airport, runway 18

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 142 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20050212001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050212001899A), Feb 12, 2005: Amtr RV7A, Panacea, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 12, 2005, at 1500 local time, an experimental amateur built RV-7, N429WD, not registered but owned by the pilot [privacy data omitted], had a…

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.

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