# NTSB DEN03LA141: Richardson RV-6, N846E, Provo, UT, August 7, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 2003, 13:28 local (19:28 UTC)
- Place: Provo, UT
- Coordinates: 40.220214, -111.690803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2202&lon=-111.6908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA141

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the resulting ground loop and the collapsed right main landing gear.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

During the landing roll on runway 13, the airplane turned to the right and the pilot applied left rudder. The airplane turned hard left, at which time the right main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway.

## Factual narrative

On August 7, 2003, at 1328 mountain daylight time, a Richardson RV-6, N846E, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing roll at Provo Municipal Airport (PVU), Provo, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Laramie, Wyoming, at 1050 and was en route to Corona, California.

According to the pilot, he was landing to refuel at Provo.  During the landing roll, on runway 13, the airplane turned to the right and the pilot applied left rudder. The airplane turned hard left, at which time the right main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway. The airplane's right aileron was damaged, and the lower right side of the firewall buckled. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N846E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N846E), registered now, S/N 24691, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Richardson RV-6
- Registry model: [Richardson Ronald B RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/richardson-ronald-b-rv-6) (registry code 05604FF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 24692
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald Richardson
- Departed: LAR, LARAMIE, WY
- Destination: AJO, Corona, CA
- Airport: PVU, Provo Municipal, runway 13, 8,600 × 1,500 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 7,400 total, 743 in this make and model, 7,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: PVU

## 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 20030807017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030807017869A), Aug 7, 2003: Amtr RV6, Provo, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] pilot and owner ronald richardson stated he touched down at 47 knots, applied too much rudder and/or brakes then ground looped.…

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.