# NTSB CHI03LA137: Longjev RV-6A, N72159, Backus, MN, May 27, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2003, 17:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Backus, MN
- Coordinates: 46.826946, -94.507225
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8269&lon=-94.5072&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - Minneapolis  FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA137

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate flare and recovery from a bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage when it bounced and nosed over during landing. The pilot reported that the main landing gear touched down earlier than he had expected.  The pilot stated that he recently became part owner in the accident aircraft.  He accumulated a total time of 8.9 hours in the RV-6A model of aircraft, of which 4 hours were in the past 30 days.

## Factual narrative

On May 27, 2003, at 1735 central daylight time (cdt), an experimental amateur-built Longjev RV-6A, N72159, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over on runway 33 (3,588 feet by 145 feet, turf) at Backus Municipal Airport (7Y3), Backus, Minnesota.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan.  The flight departed Flying Cloud Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 1626.

The pilot reported that approximately 2 miles from 7Y3, he decided to use runway 33 due to his observation of the wind sock and Pine River Airport's (PWC) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear touched down earlier than he had expected.  The airplane then bounced and nosed over.

The PWC AWOS, located 8 miles northwest of 7Y3, recorded, at 1738: wind 260 degrees at 5 knots.

The pilot stated that he recently became part owner in the accident aircraft.  He accumulated a total time of 8.9 hours, of which 4 hours were in the past 30 days.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72159](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72159), registered now, S/N 22632, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LONGJEV RV-6A
- Registry model: [Longjev RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/longjev-rv-6a) (registry code 05604QF) (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: 22362
- Airframe hours: 300
- Engines: Avco Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Longjev LTD
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2002, 40 hours before
- Departed: KFCM, Minneapolis, MN
- Destination: 7Y3, Backus, MN
- Airport: 7Y3, Backus Municipal Airport, runway 33, 3,588 × 145 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 7, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 9 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: PWC, 8 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 20030527009989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030527009989A), May 27, 2003: Amtr RV6A, Backus, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing the pilot did not use proper crosswind landing techniques. Aircraft bounced during landing. Pilot over-corrected causing nose to make…

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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