# NTSB ERA12LA456: Seibert Robert M Seibert RV-6, N691RV, Ridgeland, SC, July 16, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2012, 09:08 local (13:08 UTC) - Place: Ridgeland, SC - Coordinates: 32.490276, -80.993888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4903&lon=-80.9939&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA456 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84335/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84335 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA456 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent use of the wheel brakes during touchdown and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05608WW), [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: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05608WW), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction reported that, upon touchdown on the runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane drifted to the right. The flight instructor commanded a go-around; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot told the flight instructor that he had his feet on the brakes during the landing. Postaccident examination revealed that tire marks, consistent with heavy braking, began on the runway around the point of touchdown and continued to the point where the airplane exited the side of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2012, about 0908 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6, N691RV, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at Ridgeland Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina. The certificated private pilot/owner and certificated flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight that was conducted under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to prepare the owner for competency in tail wheel flying. He further stated that, the owner's performance in tailwheel operation had been "minimal" and that pilot/owner was unable to recognize the airplane drifting. After the airplane touched down, the airplane began to drift to the right, the owner did not correct the drift, and the CFI commanded a go-around. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident the owner informed the CFI that "he had his feet on the brakes upon landing." According to the pilot/owner the flight had departed from Allendale County Airport (88J), Allendale, South Carolina about 0835 and flew to 3J1 to perform touch and go practice takeoff and landings. The pilot/owner reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an eyewitness reported that the airplane had performed two touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings, and was performing a third landing when the accident occurred. During the landing the airplane bounced, veered off the runway, and nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane came to rest at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway. Initial examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that flight control cable continuity was confirmed from the rudder pedals to the rudder. Control continuity was confirmed to all other flight control surfaces from their respectful cockpit controls. The left wing tip and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. According to photographs provided by the Ridgeland Fire Department, rubber tire marks were observed beginning approximately the point of touchdown, veering to the right of the runway, and stopped at the point where the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 35 feet past the tire marks at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N691RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N691RV-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 001, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SEIBERT ROBERT M SEIBERT RV-6 - Registry model: [Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/seibert-robert-m-seibert-rv-6) (registry code 05608WW) (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: 001 - Airframe hours: 1397 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 E2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2011, 29 hours before - Departed: 3J1, Ridgeland, SC - Destination: 3J1, Ridgeland, SC - Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland Airport, runway 03, 2,692 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 124 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 73; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 26,000 total, 12 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: NBC, 14 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 20120716013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120716013949A), Jul 16, 2012: Seibert Robert M SEIBERT RV-6, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot[privacy data omitted] and flight instructor departed 3J1-Ridgeland south carolina to practice takeoffs/landings and instruct in preparation for the… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84335. 32.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot/Owner (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%2FOwner-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 2, .PDF, 541 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Beaufort South Carolina Weather (item 4, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Beaufort%20South%20Carolina%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Tire Marks on Runway (Courtesy of the Ridgeland Fire Dept.) (item 5, .PDF, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Tire%20Marks%20on%20Runway%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Ridgeland%20Fire%20Dept.)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Tire Marks Exiting Runway (Courtesy of the Ridgeland Fire Dept.) (item 6, .PDF, 7.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Tire%20Marks%20Exiting%20Runway%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Ridgeland%20Fire%20Dept.)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Right Side of Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the Ridgeland Fire Dept.) (item 7, .PDF, 8.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Right%20Side%20of%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Ridgeland%20Fire%20Dept.)-Master.PDF - Photo 4: Left Wing (Courtesy of the Ridgeland Fire Dept.) (item 8, .PDF, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Ridgeland%20Fire%20Dept.)-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.