# NTSB DEN99LA073: Davis RV-6A, N8117Q, Truth Or Cnsqnc, NM, May 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1999, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Truth Or Cnsqnc, NM - Coordinates: 33.129936, -107.240089 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1299&lon=-107.2401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA073 ## Probable cause A soft runway surface that caused the airplane to nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (cause) - weather condition - turbulence,clear air ## Analysis This was the maiden flight of N8117Q. After testing the airplane for 3 hours, the pilot returned to the airport for landing. Although the wind was reported to be at 7 knots and favoring runway 13, the pilot was forced to abandon two landing approaches because of the turbulence. The airport Unicom then reported the winds to be variable and favoring runway 11. The pilot made a 'smooth' landing on runway 11. The airplane rolled for about 40 or 50 feet, then nosed over when the nose landing gear sheared off. He said it felt like the brakes had been applied. Postaccident inspection of the runway revealed the landing gear had settled 6 to 7 inches into the soft sand. The tires on the RV-6A are only 3 inches wide and protrude about 3 inches below the wheel pants. 'Not good for a soft sand runway,' the pilot said. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1999, approximately 1145 mountain daylight time, a Davis' Vans RV-6A, N8117Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the test flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated approximately 0900. In his accident report, the pilot said he obtained a weather briefing from the Albuquerque Flight Service Station (FSS). Winds were reported to be 9 knots "and diminishing." This was the maiden flight of N8117Q. The pilot said after takeoff, he experienced "severe turbulence" that diminished as he flew south. After testing the airplane for 3 hours, he returned to the airport for landing. The pilot said the wind was reported to be at 7 knots and favoring runway 13. He also said it was still quite turbulent and he was forced to abandon two landing approaches because of the turbulence. The airport Unicom then reported the winds to be variable and favoring runway 11. The pilot made a "smooth" landing on runway 11. The airplane rolled for about 40 or 50 feet, then nosed over when the nose landing gear sheared off. He said it felt like the brakes had been applied. Postaccident inspection of the runway revealed the landing gear had settled 6 to 7 inches into the soft sand. The tires on the RV-6A are only 3 inches wide and protrude about 3 inches below the wheel pants. "Not good for a soft sand runway," the pilot said. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8117Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8117Q-2006-07-05), registration cancelled 2006-07-05, S/N 25227, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVIS RV-6A - Registry model: [Davis Marland E RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-marland-e-rv-6a) (registry code 056066V) (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: 25227 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Marland E. Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1999, 3 hours before - Departed: TCS - Airport: TCS, Truth Or Consequences Mun, runway 11, 7,000 × 150 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 947 total, 3 in this make and model, 885 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TCS ## 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 19990506030359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990506030359A), May 6, 1999: Amtr RV6A, Truth Or Conseq, NM, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 6, 1999, approximately 0920 mountain daylight time, a davis' vans RV-6A, N8117Q, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while… ## Other investigations on N8117Q (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA06CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA095), Apr 19, 2006: Marland E Davis RV-6A (N8117Q), Live Oak, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing resulting in a nose over. 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.