# NTSB GAA16CA025: Donham Timothy J RV 6A, N8188D, Grenada, MS, October 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2015, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Grenada, MS - Coordinates: 33.831111, -89.794441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8311&lon=-89.7944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 92216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05606F9), [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: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05606F9), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05606F9), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05606F9), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05606F9), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05606F9), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that the approach to the runway was normal and he could see that the tetrahedron indicated a right quartering crosswind. The pilot reported that just after touchdown the right wing pitched up and he was unable to overcome this motion with control inputs. The airplane veered to the left, and exited the left side of runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, engine mount, firewall, right elevator, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that the approach to the runway was normal and he could see that the tetrahedron indicated a right quartering crosswind. The pilot reported that just after touchdown the right wing pitched up and he was unable to overcome this motion with control inputs. The airplane veered to the left, and exited the left side of runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, engine mount, firewall, right elevator, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8188D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8188D-2018-05-07), registration cancelled 2018-05-07, S/N 23460, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DONHAM TIMOTHY J RV 6A - Registry model: [Donham Timothy J RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/donham-timothy-j-rv-6a) (registry code 05606F9) (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: 23460 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 644 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 4, 2015 - Departed: 5A6, WINONA, MS - Destination: GNF, Grenada, MS - Airport: GNF, Grenada Muni, runway 31, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; military, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,150 total, 53 in this make and model, 2,860 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KGWO, 25 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92216. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 927 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 510 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.