# NTSB ERA22LA164: Hartz Paul RV-6A, N447P, Lake City, FL, March 17, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 17, 2022, 15:38 local (19:38 UTC) - Place: Lake City, FL - Coordinates: 30.150734, -82.661017 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1507&lon=-82.6610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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): 104819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104819/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104819 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in overload bending of the nose landing gear leg and subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Hartz Paul RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614BO), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was previously aware of the nose-over issue of the various models of the aircraft, and as such was very cautious during landing. He attempted to recover after bouncing on a grass runway but on the second touchdown with aft elevator control input, the nose landing gear dug in and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. He indicated that he should have done an immediate go-around as a result of the bounced landing, and not attempted to recover. According to the photographs and information provided by airplane owner/pilot, the nose gear leg was bent aft about 60° beginning about 2.25 inches from the landing gear mount. Equipment that was attached to the nose gear leg was permanently deformed. The airplane was equipped with upgraded nose gear leg and nose wheel fork that were specified by Van’s Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 07-11-09. Those components were designed to reduce the likelihood of fork axle-to-runway surface contact during nose gear overload conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N447P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N447P), registered now, S/N 108 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HARTZ PAUL RV-6A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hartz Paul RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hartz-paul-rv-6a) (registry code 05617TW) (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: 108 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 37 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2021 - Airport: 15FL, Canon Creek Airpark, runway 27, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: minor; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 29,802 total, 11 in this make and model, 18,414 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KLCQ, 5 nm away - METAR: KLCQ 171935Z AUTO 26006KT 10SM CLR 25/08 A2999 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220317003849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220317003849A), Mar 17, 2022: Hartz Paul RV-6A, Lake City, FL, Substantial damage. On March 17, 2022 at approximately 1500 the pilot reported he departed Cannon Creek air park (15FL) on runway 27 for a routine 30 minute flight. After… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104819. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13579725&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Recd%203%2025%202022_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversation (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13618802&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13618630&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 665 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13746689&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-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.