# NTSB GAA16CA154: Nicholson David F RV 9, N347N, Allison, IA, March 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2016, 10:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Allison, IA - Coordinates: 42.761943, -92.804725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7619&lon=-92.8047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper soft-field landing technique, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse and a 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: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Nicholson David F RV-9A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056176J), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing on a grass airstrip, the nose landing gear "caught" on the soft turf and collapsed. The airplane slid about 60 feet, the forward portion of the fuselage impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and firewall. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported to keep the nose landing gear off the ground longer during the landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing on a grass airstrip, the nose landing gear "caught" on the soft turf and collapsed. The airplane slid about 60 feet, the forward portion of the fuselage impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and firewall. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported to keep the nose landing gear off the ground longer during the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N347N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N347N-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 90347, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NICHOLSON DAVID F RV 9 (A) - Registry model: [Nicholson David F RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nicholson-david-f-rv-9a) (registry code 056176J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 90347 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 202.7 - Engines: Subaru/Eggenfellner 2.5L 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nicholson David F. - Registered owner: Nicholson David F. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2015 - Departed: C25, WAVERLY, IA - Destination: K98, Allison, IA - Airport: K98, Allison Muni, runway 18, 1,790 × 175 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 320 total, 202 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.59 inHg - Observed at: KCCY, 21 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). - [Incident 20160322002549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160322002549I), Mar 22, 2016: Nicholson David F RV-9A, Allison, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot landed at Allison Municipal Airport (K98) on the runway 18. During rollout, the aircraft nose gear caught on soft turf and collapsed, then slid until the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92870. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA and Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 4 photos, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA%20and%20Pilot)-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.