# NTSB CEN17LA367: Miller Steven M RV6 A, N812SM, Elbert, CO, September 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 2017, 13:37 local (19:37 UTC) - Place: Elbert, CO - Coordinates: 39.224723, -104.639999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2247&lon=-104.6400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96088/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96088 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA367 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare in strong gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his loss of directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with objects. ## 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: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Miller Steven M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05611Z2), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he was conducting a personal, cross-country flight and that, when he was about 5 miles from his destination airport, he checked the AWOS, which reported wind from 280° at 24 knots, gusting to 32 knots. He checked the AWOS again while entering the base leg for runway 27, and the reported wind had not changed. Upon turning to final, the pilot felt strong wind and added power to stay higher than a normal approach. With flaps set to 40°, the pilot decreased power and started to flare the airplane. The wheels hit the runway hard, the airplane bounced, and a wind gust pushed the airplane left off the runway. After the airplane bounced again, the pilot added power and attempted a go-around. Subsequently, the airplane again exited the left side of the runway and struck a cistern and a fence and then came to rest inverted. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot improperly flared the airplane in strong gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane bouncing and the subsequent loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 2017, about 1337 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV-6 experimental airplane, N812SM, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during an attempted go-around at Kelly Airpark (CO15), Elbert, Colorado. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from the La Junta Municipal Airport (LHX), La Junta, Colorado, at 1300. The pilot stated that he was 5 miles south of CO15 and called the automated weather observing system (AWOS) via radio. He stated that the AWOS reported wind from 280° at 24 knots with gusts of 32 knots. He called AWOS again while entering the base leg for runway 27 and the reported wind again was from 280° with gusts of 32 knots. Upon turning to final, the pilot felt the strong wind and added power to stay higher than a normal approach. With flaps set to 40°, the pilot decreased power and started to flare. He stated that the wheels hit hard and the airplane bounced, and a gust of wind moved the airplane to the south off the runway. After another bounce, the pilot added power and attempted a go-around. The airplane struck a cistern to the left of the runway, a fence, and came to rest inverted. A witnesses stated that there were strong wind gusts at the time of the accident. The nearest weather reporting facility was located about two miles from the accident site, and at 1329, the wind was reported from 280° at 21 knots with gusts of 25 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N812SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812SM), registered now, S/N 23302 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER STEVEN M RV6 A (A) - Registry model: [Miller Steven M RV6-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-steven-m-rv6-a) (registry code 05611Z2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23302 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 1185 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2017 - Departed: LHX, LaJunta, CO - Destination: CO15, Elbert, CO - Airport: CO15, Kelly Airpark, runway 27, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,414 total, 795 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 21 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: MNH, 2 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 20170913016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170913016009A), Sep 13, 2017: Miller Steven M RV6-A, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. While trying to land at CO15 (Kelly Airpark, Elbert, CO) N812SM departed runway 26 and struck a cistern pipe sticking out of the ground 136 ft to the south of… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96088. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Police Report (item 4, .PDF, 382 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479414&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.