# NTSB GAA16CA053: Sweeney Timothy J Rans S6-ES, N688KA, Winter Haven, FL, November 13, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 13, 2015, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.062778, -81.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0628&lon=-81.7519&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 January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Orlando FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and nose over. ## 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: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05628KM), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05628KM), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05628KM), [All aircraft, 1,514 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: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05628KM), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628KM), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N688KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N688KA-2024-01-06), registration cancelled 2024-01-06, S/N 05081884-ES, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWEENEY TIMOTHY J RANS S6-ES - Registry model: [Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/sweeney-timothy-j-rans-s6-es) (registry code 05628KM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 05081884-ES - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 875.1 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special flight (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2015 - Departed: ISM, ORLANDO, FL - Destination: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven'S Gilbert - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 6, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,662 total, 765 in this make and model, 1,473 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGIF ## 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 20151113023389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151113023389A), Nov 13, 2015: Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. The accident occurred on November 13, 2015 at the Winter Haven airport - kgif at 10:30 EST. Weather conditions were good - sky clear, wind light from the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92339. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.