# NTSB ERA22LA158: Axell Charles L RV-6, N29XL, Laurens, NY, March 5, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 5, 2022, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Laurens, NY · runway 24
- Coordinates: 42.525045, -75.064229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5250&lon=-75.0642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104797/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104797
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA158

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Axell Charles L RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05607FH), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the tailwheel-equipped airplane drifted right during the landing rollout in crosswind conditions. The pilot applied left rudder to correct the deviation; however, the right main landing gear contacted a snowdrift on the runway edge and the right wing impacted a snowbank. The airplane then yawed right, departed the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29XL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29XL-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 60197, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AXELL CHARLES L RV-6
- Registry model: [Axell Charles L RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/axell-charles-l-rv-6) (registry code 05607FH) (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: 60197
- Year built: 1999
- Airframe hours: 1100
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 10, 2021
- Departed: FOK, West Hampton, NY
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: N66, Albert S Nader Regional Airport, runway 24, 4,199 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,153 total, 70 in this make and model, 20,953 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observed at: BGM, 45 nm away
- METAR: KBGM 051505Z AUTO 14005KT 10SM CLR M02/M12 A3039 RMK T10201120 MADISHF

## 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 20220305003659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220305003659A), Mar 5, 2022: Axell Charles L RV-6, Oneonta, NY, Substantial damage. On March 5, 2022, about 1105 eastern standard time, an RV-6, N29XL, was substantially damaged upon landing rollout when the right main wheel contacted the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104797. 11.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 10.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13670287&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 668 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13669977&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.