# NTSB CEN13CA316: Sheldrick John H RV-6, N77GT, Brookfield, WI, June 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2013, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Brookfield, WI - Coordinates: 43.09, -88.178054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0900&lon=-88.1781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA316 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and his failure to recognize that the airplane had drifted away from the runway prior to landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Sheldrick John H RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05625UT), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sheldrick John H RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05625UT), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Sheldrick John H RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05625UT), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Sheldrick John H RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05625UT), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he approached the airport, intending to land on the grass runway. He said that his approach was high and he introduced a slip in order to lose altitude. During the slip, the airplane turned to the left, which he did not notice. He continued the landing and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane was landed in a marsh about 400 yards north of the east-west oriented runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he approached the airport, intending to land on the grass runway. He said that his approach was high and he introduced a slip in order to lose altitude. During the slip, the airplane turned to the left, which he did not notice. He continued the landing and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane was landed in a marsh about 400 yards north of the east-west oriented runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77GT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77GT-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 20599-01 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SHELDRICK JOHN H RV-6 - Registry model: [Sheldrick John H RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/sheldrick-john-h-rv-6) (registry code 05625UT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20599-01 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 88C, Palmyra, WI - Destination: 02C, Brookfield, WI - Airport: 02C, Capitol Airport, runway 09, 3,395 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,535 total, 305 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: UES, 5 nm away ## 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 20130604010059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130604010059A), Jun 4, 2013: Sheldrick John H RV-6, Brookfield, WI, Substantial damage. On June 4, 2013, at 1325 CST an RV-6, N77GT, during intended approach to and landing on runway 9 at Capitol Airport (02C), in Brookfield, WI, landed in a marsh… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87092. 803 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 714 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation with pilot (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20with%20pilot-Master.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.