# NTSB FTW03LA139: Hackney Vans RV-6A, N528DH, Canton, TX, April 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2003, 20:20 local (Apr 23, 2003, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Canton, TX - Coordinates: 32.615833, -95.868057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6158&lon=-95.8681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56865/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the landing flare/touchdown at dusk, the airplane drifted to the left of the private, hard-surface, 2,600-foot runway. The airplane landed in the grass and soft terrain, the nose landing gear dug into the soft ground, and the airplane nosed-over, coming to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2003, approximately 2020 central daylight time, a Hackney Vans RV-6A experimental homebuilt airplane, N528DH, experienced a loss of control while landing at a private hard surface airstrip near Canton, Texas. The airplane was owned by a private individual and flown by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The cross-country flight originated from Anadarko Municipal Airport (F68), Anadarko, Oklahoma, approximately 1835. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 5,000 hour pilot reported that during the landing flare/touchdown on runway 14, the airplane drifted to the left of the 2,600 foot long runway. The airplane drifted into the grass and soft terrain, the nose landing gear dug into the soft ground about 1,000 feet past the touchdown point and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in the inverted position. Local authorities, airport personnel, and the pilot examined the airplane. The airplane fuselage canopy, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and propeller were found damaged. The U. S. Naval Observatory reported sunset at 1959, and the end of civil twilight at 2025. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N528DH-2004-03-02), registration cancelled 2004-03-02, S/N 22528, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hackney Vans RV-6A - Registry model: [Hackney Donald P VAN RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hackney-donald-p-van-rv-6a) (registry code 05610ZG) (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: 22528 - Airframe hours: 110 - Engines: General Motors GM4.3LG 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald P. Hackney - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2003, 10 hours before - Departed: F68, Anadarko, OK - Destination: 1TA7, Canton, TX - Airport: 1TA7, Thompson Field Airport, runway 14, 2,600 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 2, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TRL, 20 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 20030422006989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030422006989A), Apr 22, 2003: Amtr RV6A, Canton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 22, 2003, at 2020 central daylight time, an experimental amatuer built model van, RV-6A, sustained substantial damage during a night landing at… ## Other investigations on N528DH (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW04LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA040), Dec 14, 2003: Hackney Vans RV-6A (N528DH), Carthage, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, 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.