# NTSB ERA09LA043: Miller J Kirtley RV-6, N8LK, Martinsville, VA, November 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Martinsville, VA - Coordinates: 36.599998, -80.038612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6000&lon=-80.0386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69416 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69416/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69416 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Impairment/incapacitation: oTC medication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012030): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012030/cases.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012030/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: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05610RO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After bouncing on the runway, the pilot aborted the landing and added full engine power. The airplane began to climb, yawed to the left, and struck some small tree branches on the left side of the runway. The pilot corrected back toward the right; however, as the airplane approached the right side of the runway, in a nose-high attitude, it began a slow left yaw and roll. The airplane’s left wing impacted the runway, followed by the propeller and right wing, in a near-vertical attitude. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The pilot had accumulated about 800 flight hours in a similar type airplane and had landed at the airport on numerous occasions. Toxicological testing revealed that chlorpheniramine, an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine, was detected in the pilot's blood. The level was several times higher than the level expected with a typical maximum single over-the-counter dose. In typical doses, the medication has measurable adverse effects on performance of complex and cognitive and motor tasks. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 2008, about 1430 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built, RV-6, N8LK, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Covington Airport (VA72), Martinsville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane was on approach to land on runway 30, a 2,200-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, turf runway. A friend of the pilot witnessed the accident. In a written statement, he reported that the airplane touched down left of the runway centerline, "a little long, but not excessive," and bounced approximately 3 feet high. As the airplane settled toward the runway, the pilot added full engine power, and the airplane touched down a second time. The airplane then lifted off, pitched nose-up, and yawed to the left, with the flaps extended. The airplane struck some small tree branches on the left side of the runway, before the pilot corrected back toward the right. The airplane was "struggling for altitude, with the nose high as it approached the right side of the runway." Shortly thereafter, when the airplane was about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, it began a slow left yaw and roll. The airplane’s left wing impacted the runway, followed by the propeller, and right wing, in a near vertical attitude. The airplane came to rest on the runway, approximately 180 degrees from its initial approach heading. Examination of the airplane, including the flight and engine controls, by an FAA inspector did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The flaps were observed at the 10-degree setting. The forward left wing attach point was sheared, and the fuselage was buckled, just aft of the main cabin. The inspector also noted that the airplane contacted several tree limbs on the left side of the runway, which were up to a 1/2-inch in diameter. The airplane had been operated for approximately 463 total hours at the time of its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on September 18, 2008. The pilot, age 71, reported 1,300 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued on December 6, 2006. The pilot’s friend stated that the pilot had accumulated about 800 flight hours in an RV-4, had flown the accident airplane previously, and landed at VA72, on numerous prior occasions. An autopsy was performed on the pilot, on November 8, 2008, by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries." Toxicological testing conducted on the pilot by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute was negative alcohol, andpositive for: "Atropine detected in Blood 0.063 (ug/ml, ug/g) Chlorpheniramine detected in Blood Chlorpheniramine detected in Urine Naproxen detected in Blood" A weather observation taken at an airport located about 13 miles southeast of the accident site, at 1419, reported: winds from 200 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clear skies; temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 29.52 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8LK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8LK-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N 24015, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER J KIRTLEY RV-6 - Registry model: [Miller J Kirtley RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-j-kirtley-rv-6) (registry code 05610RO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-o-360-a1a) (registry code 01301, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24015 - Airframe hours: 463 - Engines: Aero Sport Power Ltd. O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Siesta Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Siesta Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 18, 2008, 7 hours before - Departed: VA72, Martinsville, VA - Destination: VA72, Martinsville, VA - Airport: VA72, Covington, runway 30, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2007; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,416 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.52 inHg - Observed at: SIF, 13 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 20081107850669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081107850669A), Nov 7, 2008: Amtr RV6, Martinsville, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Aircraft approached covington field to land. Wind was light and steady, possible 5 to 6 mph. FBO operator at nearby Martinsville airport confirmed… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69416. 3.3 MB in all. - Statments and Interview Memorandums (item 1, .PDF, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statments%20and%20Interview%20Memorandums-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - Medical Records Information (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Records%20Information-Master.PDF - FAA Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 - Ariel View of accident site (provided by FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20Ariel%20View%20of%20accident%20site%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of airplane as it came to rest (provided by FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-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.