# NTSB FTW02LA169: Golias RV6, N16PG, Leander, TX, May 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2002, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Leander, TX - Coordinates: 30.602222, -97.816947 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6022&lon=-97.8169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54823/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54823 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA169 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Contributing factor is the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot was practicing short field landings on the turf airstrip. He made his first approach at 80 miles per hour, which terminated in a full stop landing. Not satisfied with the first approach and landing, he decided to attempt another one. The second approach was executed using 40 degrees of flaps, an approach speed of 75 miles per hour, and a steeper descent angle. As the pilot flared, the airspeed degraded, which resulted in a high sink rate. The pilot applied full power; however, the airplane impacted the runway, bounced hard, and veered to the left. The pilot then pulled the power off, and subsequently, the airplane came to rest in an upright position after impacting a berm approximately 30 feet left and parallel to the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2002, at 1505 central daylight time, an experimental Golias RV6 single-engine airplane, N16PG, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during landing near Leander, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Lago Vista, Texas, at 1445. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he and his passenger departed the Lago Vista (5R3) airport for a return flight to Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), Georgetown, Texas, but decided to divert to the Kittie Hill Airport (77T), Leander, Texas, to practice some short field landings. The pilot stated that he flew over the airport, checked the windsock, and determined the wind to be from 010 to 020 degrees at 5 to 8 knots. He then set up his approach for runway 35, a 3,450 feet long, 55 feet wide turf airstrip. The pilot made his first full stop landing "at the usual approach speed of 80 miles per hour (mph)." Not being satisfied with the first landing, the pilot decided to attempt another landing. He reported using 40 degrees of flaps, a final approach airspeed of 75 mph, and a steeper decent angle on his second landing, "intending to try for a smoother transition." In an attempt to stop the sink rate, full power was applied; however, the aircraft impacted the runway, bounced hard, and veered to the left. The pilot stated that he believed a combination of letting his airspeed degrade and starting his flare too soon led to an eventual high sink rate. As the pilot lowered the nose, he lost directional control and realized "I was heading for the bushes and trees." The pilot stated that this is where he "pulled the power off." The airplane traveled approximately 30 feet to the left and parallel to the runway where the propeller impacted a berm estimated to be 15 inches high. The pilot reported the right landing gear was folded aft and upward against the bottom of the wing, and the left landing gear was bent aft several inches. The lower right corner of the fuselage, where the motor mount attaches, was bent inward. The right elevator was also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16PG), registered now, S/N 23918, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Golias RV6 - Registry model: [Golias Paul RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/golias-paul-rv6) (registry code 056074Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d1a) (registry code 42145, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23918 - Airframe hours: 145 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Golias - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 17, 2001, 73 hours before - Departed: 5R3, Lago Vista, TX - Destination: 77T, Kittie Hill, TX - Airport: 77T, Kittie Hill Airport, runway 35, 2,350 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 19, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 994 total, 171 in this make and model, 912 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: GTU, 8 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 20020531010529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020531010529A), May 31, 2002: Amtr RV6, Leander, TX, No damage. (.19) On may 31, 2002, at 1505 central daylight time, an experimental golias RV6 single-engine airplane, N16PG, sustained substantial damage when it impacted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54823. 571 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.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.