# NTSB DEN08CA146: Helie RV-6, N190RV, Denver, CO, August 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 28, 2008, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.784999, -104.543052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7850&lon=-104.5431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Helie Claude RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05610QD), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Helie Claude RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05610QD), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Helie Claude RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05610QD), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Helie Claude RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05610QD), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Helie Claude RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05610QD), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the landing rollout on runway 08, he lost directional control of the aircraft after encountering a left cross wind. Winds were reported as 000 at 10 knots. The pilot applied corrective control inputs, however the action was ineffective in stabilizing the airplane, which departed the left side of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar and right aileron were bent. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the landing roll out on runway 08 at Front Range Airport (FTG) in Denver, Colorado, he lost directional control of the aircraft after encountering a left cross wind. Winds were reported as 000 at 10 knots. The pilot applied corrective control inputs, however, the action was ineffective in stabilizing the airplane which departed the left side of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing spar and right aileron were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N190RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N190RV), registered now, S/N 30424, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helie RV-6 - Registry model: [Helie Claude RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/helie-claude-rv-6) (registry code 05610QD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 30424 - Engines: Textron Lycoming o-360-a3a reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Arnold, doing business as Thomas Arnold - Registered owner: Thomas Arnold - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FTG, Denver, CO - Destination: FTG, DENVER, CO - Airport: FTG, Dummy, runway 08 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 293 total, 79 in this make and model, 59 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: DEN 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.