# NTSB CEN13CA434: David W Oakes RV-7A, N1243A, Charlottesville, IN, July 25, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2013, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.787498, -85.636947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7875&lon=-85.6369&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA434
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87570/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87570
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA434

## Probable cause

The improper landing attitude which damaged the nosewheel and a resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [David W Oakes RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056314L), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [David W Oakes RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056314L), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [David W Oakes RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056314L), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [David W Oakes RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056314L), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [David W Oakes RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056314L), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While in the traffic pattern to land on a turf strip, the pilot noted that he was below a normal pattern altitude. During the final approach leg, the pilot had to add power to ensure the airplane would make the runway surface. Once the airplane made the end of the runway, the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and the airplane descended. The nosewheel touched first and bent aft. The airplane bounced and then landed hard. The nose of the airplane contacted the ground and the airplane flipped over, coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failure prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

## Factual narrative

While in the traffic pattern to land on a turf strip, the pilot noted that he was below a normal pattern altitude. During the final approach leg, the pilot had to add power to ensure the airplane would make the runway surface. Once the airplane made the end of the runway, the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and the airplane descended. The nosewheel touched first and bent aft. The airplane bounced and then landed hard. The nose of the airplane contacted the ground and the airplane flipped over, coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failure prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1243A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1243A), registered now, S/N 72022, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVID W OAKES RV-7A
- Registry model: [David W Oakes RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-w-oakes-rv-7a) (registry code 056314L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1a) (registry code 41818, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 72022
- Airframe hours: 34.8
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oakes David W
- Registered owner: Oakes David W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2012
- Departed: KGEZ, Shelbyville, IN
- Destination: 66IN, Charlottesville, IN
- Airport: 66IN, Oakes Field, runway 36, 1,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 928 total, 35 in this make and model, 928 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KGEZ, 15 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 20130725014689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130725014689A), Jul 25, 2013: David W Oakes RV-7A, Greenfield, IN, Substantial damage. On July 25, 2013, at approximately 10:35 eastern standard time, a 2012 RV-7A ?David Oakes? Experimental aircraft, N1243A, sustained substantial damage…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87570. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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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