# NTSB ERA22LA165: Nordquist Richard A Vans RV7, N275PL, Polk City, FL, March 17, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 17, 2022, 14:38 local (18:38 UTC) - Place: Polk City, FL · Grass / Turf - Coordinates: 28.206402, -81.827856 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2064&lon=-81.8279&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 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): 104820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104820/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104820 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA165 ## Probable cause A loss of control during landing due to the loose and uneven landing surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Nordquist Richard A VANS RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05617H7), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Nordquist Richard A VANS RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05617H7), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: [Nordquist Richard A VANS RV7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617H7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that his approach to landing was normal. He said that during the landing roll he felt nose gear “dig in” just before the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over inverted onto the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the grass/turf landing surface was loose and uneven. Inspection of the grass runway surface revealed the dirt was soft, and a ground scar was created by the nose wheel. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed a fractured wheel pant and scarring on the lower right-wing skin. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N275PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N275PL-2023-05-08), registration cancelled 2023-05-08, S/N 70788, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORDQUIST RICHARD A VANS RV7 (A) - Registry model: [Nordquist Richard A VANS RV7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nordquist-richard-a-vans-rv7a) (registry code 05617H7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 70788 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 930 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2021, 55 hours before - Departed: 06FD, Mascotte, FL - Destination: 4FD7, Polk City, FL - Airport: 4FD7, Flanders Field Airport, runway 18, 1,800 × 135 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private, recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 462 total, 11 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 32 °F - Observed at: GIF, 9 nm away - METAR: SA 17/03/2022 19:53-> METAR KGIF 171953Z AUTO A3001 RMK AO2 SLPNO PWINO ## 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 20220317003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220317003829A), Mar 17, 2022: Nordquist Richard A VANS RV7A, Polk City, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot reported pattern and short final uneventful. Approach, flare and landing was made at required air speeds of (final 70 knots, touchdown 65 knots). Just… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104820. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13659768&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20form%20LA165_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record FAA interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13801836&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20FAA%20interview%20LA165-Rel.pdf - FAA telephone interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13665913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20telephone%20interview%20record_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record PIC telephone interview (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13666031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20pilot%20statement%20Mr.%20Hendrik-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13666074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20photos%20LA165-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.