# NTSB CHI02CA202: Eckstein RV-6A, N747BS, Mattawan, MI, July 19, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2002, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Mattawan, MI - Coordinates: 42.195835, -85.805557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1958&lon=-85.8056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02CA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55344/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55344 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02CA202 ## Probable cause Failure by the pilot in command to attain a proper touchdown point considering the available runway length. The rough, uneven runway surface and the soft area at the far end of the runway were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uneven (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane floated during the landing flare and according to the pilot, touched down further down field than usual. During the rollout, under heavy braking, the airplane encountered a "soft, sandy dip" toward the far end of the turf runway. The nose wheel dug-in and subsequently collapsed. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2002, at 1610 eastern daylight time, an Eckstein RV-6A, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at the Mattawan Airpark Airport (8MI3), Mattawan, Michigan. The airplane landed on runway 23 (2,000 feet x 100 feet, turf) and was rolling out under heavy braking, when it encountered a rough area of the runway surface. The nose gear subsequentially collapsed and the airplane flipped over. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. In his written statement, the pilot noted that the approach was normal. However, during the landing flare, the airplane floated somewhat and "touched down about 500' longer than normal." He stated that the runway is rough, but firm, in the area normally used for his landing rollout. Due to the extended touchdown point, the rollout was further down the runway and the airplane encountered a "soft, sandy dip." The nose wheel dug-in to the soft area, collapsing the nose wheel strut and causing the airplane to nose over. It came to a rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N747BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N747BS), registered now, S/N 24728, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eckstein RV-6A - Registry model: [Eckstein Brian RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/eckstein-brian-rv-6a) (registry code 05610FK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24728 - Airframe hours: 149 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2002, 22 hours before - Departed: LSE, La Crosse, WI - Destination: 8MI3, Mattawan, MI - Airport: 8MI3, Mattawn Airpark, runway 23, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 13, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 593 total, 149 in this make and model, 539 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: AZO, 11 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 20020719016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020719016489A), Jul 19, 2002: Amtr RV6A, Mattawan, MI, No damage. (-23) Aircraft landed long, hard braking on rough turf runway. Nose wheel dug into soft earth causing aircraft to flip over. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55344. 518 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 518 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.