# NTSB CEN12CA355: Ryan Navion, N4943K, Rockville, IN, June 9, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2012, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Rockville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.738887, -87.219444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7389&lon=-87.2194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83923/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83923
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA355

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Navion NAVION A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=6150104), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Before landing, the pilot overflew the airport and checked the runway environment. The pilot’s friend, who was flying another airplane, landed first on the 2,160-foot-long grass runway. The pilot then attempted to land on the same runway but aborted the first approach after he decided the airplane was too high and fast. During the second landing attempt, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear about the midpoint of the runway. The pilot stated that he held the nosewheel up and applied gentle braking, but the airplane did not slow at the rate he expected. The pilot considered aborting the landing; however, he believed that he would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane ran off the runway, across a short overrun area, down a slope, and across a gravel road, where it impacted small trees. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

Prior to landing, the pilot overflew the airport and checked the runway environment. A friend of the pilot who was in another airplane, landed first on the grass runway, which was 2,160 feet long by 60 feet wide. The pilot then attempted to land on the same runway. The pilot aborted the first approach after he decided he was too high and fast. During the second landing attempt, the pilot touched the airplane down on the main landing gear about the mid-point of the runway, held the nose wheel up, and applied gentle braking. He stated the airplane slowed, but not at the rate he expected. He considered aborting the landing; however, he felt he would not have enough room to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then hoped a short overrun area would help stop the airplane, but the long grass concealed a 20 to 30 foot steep slope. The airplane exited the end of the runway, went down the slope, crossed a gravel road and impacted small trees, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and wing spars. After the accident, the pilot realized the runway had a significant down slope which he could not identify during his fly over prior to landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4943K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4943K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION (A)
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-1943
- Airframe hours: 5359
- Engines: Continental IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2012
- Departed: 4I7, Greencastle, IN
- Destination: IN46, Rockville, IN
- Airport: IN46, Butler Field, runway 27, 2,160 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,013 total, 1,377 in this make and model, 1,964 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 265° at 4 knots

## 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 20120609010489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120609010489A), Jun 9, 2012: Navion NAVION A, Rockville, IN, Substantial damage. The runway at Butler Airport (IN46), Rockville, IN, is a grass runway identified as being 2100 feet long and oriented magnetically as runways 9/27, with a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83923. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Additional Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF

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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