# NTSB ERA09CA333: Chatham Robert M RV6-A, N55EC, Gilbert, SC, June 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2009, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Gilbert, SC - Coordinates: 33.96389, -81.359169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9639&lon=-81.3592&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 October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73995/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73995 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA333 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the airspeed indicator that became inoperative during the landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Navigation system: airspeed/mach indicating](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414/cases.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Flight instrument malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627Y2), [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: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05627Y2), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was conducting an initial flight test in the traffic pattern at the local airport. During the approach to land, he noticed that the airspeed indicator was not working properly. He attempted to maintain a correct approach speed, but stated that he may have been going to fast. During the landing, the airplane floated down the runway. The pilot applied brake pressure, but then the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway. The nose wheel contacted a rock in a drainage area which resulted in the airplane flipping over. The propeller, fuselage, canopy, and tail section incurred damage. Postaccident examination of the airspeed indicator by the pilot revealed the tubing separated from the pressure port. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was conducting an initial flight test in the traffic pattern at the local airport. During the approach to landing he noticed that the airspeed indicator was not working properly. He attempted to determine the correct approach speed, but stated that he may have been going too fast. During the landing, the airplane floated down the runway. The pilot applied brake pressure, but then the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway. The nose wheel contacted a rock in a drainage area which resulted in the airplane flipping over. The propeller, fuselage, canopy, and tail section incurred damage. Postaccident examination of the airspeed indicator by the pilot revealed the tubing separated from the pressure port. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55EC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55EC-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 23962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHATHAM ROBERT M RV6-A - Registry model: [Chatham Robert M RV6-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/chatham-robert-m-rv6-a) (registry code 05627Y2) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23962 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 11, 2009 - Departed: SC99, Gilbert, SC - Destination: SC99, Gilbert, SC - Airport: SC99, Whiteplains Airport, runway 27, 3,000 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 756 total, 6 in this make and model, 742 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 12 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 20090609047319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090609047319A), Jun 9, 2009: Vans RV6-A, Gilbert, SC, Substantial damage. On June 9, 2009 pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting to land is Vans RV-6A aircraft on runway 27 at Whiteplains plantation airport, Gilbert, south… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73995. 717 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 571 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: 35mm Photograph Provided by Pilot; No Negative. View Depicting the Separated Tubing. (item 3, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%2035mm%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20Pilot;%20No%20Negative.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Separated%20Tubing.-Master.PDF 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.