# NTSB CHI08CA099: Powell Vans RV-6A, N551MP, French Lick, IN, April 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 7, 2008, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: French Lick, IN - Coordinates: 38.506111, -86.636665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5061&lon=-86.6367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67817/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind condition and maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powell Michael B VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=056196Q), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powell Michael B VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056196Q), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Powell Michael B VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056196Q), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Powell Michael B VANS RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056196Q), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N551MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N551MP), registered now, S/N 23375, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Powell Vans RV-6A - Registry model: [Powell Michael B VANS RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/powell-michael-b-vans-rv-6a) (registry code 056196Q) (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: 23375 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: MBP Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LGC, Lagrange, GA - Destination: IC5, Bolingbrook, IL - Airport: FRH, French Lick, runway 26 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 234 total, 49 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots ## 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 20080407835489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080407835489A), Apr 7, 2008: Amtr RV6A, French Lick, IN, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot statement: "wind 240 @ 4, on final to 26-just started flare-left wing came up-tried to correct-came down on right wing and front gear." 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.