# NTSB ERA13CA132: Triad International Technology RV6A, N956TT, Lewisburg, TN, February 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2013, 16:50 UTC - Place: Lewisburg, TN - Coordinates: 35.5, -86.800003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5000&lon=-86.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA132 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain directional control during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Triad International Technology RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05628QX), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Triad International Technology RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=05628QX), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Triad International Technology RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05628QX), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Triad International Technology RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05628QX), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Triad International Technology RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628QX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner stated that during the approach for landing he was flying “slightly high and slightly too fast.” In an attempt to salvage the landing, the pilot reduced power, which resulted in a hard bounce on the runway with the airplane returning to a height of about 15 feet. The pilot then applied power in an attempt to remain airborne but lost directional control of the airplane. As the pilot attempted to regain heading control, he again reduced power, which resulted in the left wing impacting the ground then the airplane spinning around in a field just west of the taxiway and runway. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner stated that during the approach for landing that he was flying “slightly high and slightly too fast.” In an attempt to salvage the landing the pilot reduced power which resulted in a hard bounce on the runway with the airplane returning to a height of about 15 feet. The pilot then applied power in an attempt to remain airborne but lost directional control of the airplane. As the pilot attempted to regain heading control, he again reduced power which resulted in the left wing impacting the ground, causing the airplane to spin around in a field just west of the taxiway and runway. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N956TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N956TT-2013-09-09), registration cancelled 2013-09-09, S/N 001, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TRIAD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY RV6A - Registry model: [Triad International Technology RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/triad-international-technology-rv6a) (registry code 05628QX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 637 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2012, 46 hours before - Departed: M93, McKinnon, TN - Destination: LUG, Lewisburg, TN - Airport: LUG, Ellington Field, runway 20, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,482 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,285 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: THA, 28 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 20130209001339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130209001339A), Feb 9, 2013: Triad International Technology RV6A, Lewisburg, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he came in a little fast and a little high. Aircraft landed hard, aircraft bounced became airborne a second time and pilot loss control of… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86223. 3.5 MB in all. - NTSB FORM 6120 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20FORM%206120%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage to Fuselage (item 4, .PDF, 929 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20to%20Fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to Wing (item 5, .PDF, 870 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Wing-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.