# NTSB GAA16CA382: Gonzalez Manuel A RV 7, N228MG, Langley, WA, July 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2016, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Langley, WA - Coordinates: 48.012222, -122.436943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0122&lon=-122.4369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA382 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind, which resulted in, landing long, a runway overrun, and impact with a berm and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056193V), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that due to the tall trees that surrounded the airport he elected to land to the north with a tailwind because of "less tree obstacles". He further reported that the airplane "touched down too far down the runway". He attempted to stop the airplane from over running the runway, but was unsuccessful. The airplane over ran the runway, impacted a grass berm, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the hazards associated with runway overruns and the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part: The pilot must be aware of airspeed during the approach and of the targeted reference landing airspeed (VREF)/airspeed, plus wind gust adjustments, over the runway threshold. An excessive approach speed may result in an excessive speed over the runway's threshold, which may result in landing beyond the intended touchdown point as well as a higher speed from which the pilot must bring the airplane to a stop. The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that due to the tall trees that surrounded the airport he elected to land to the north with a tailwind because of "less tree obstacles". He further reported that the airplane "touched down too far down the runway". He attempted to stop the airplane from over running the runway, but was unsuccessful. The airplane over ran the runway, impacted a grass berm, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the hazards associated with runway overruns and the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part: The pilot must be aware of airspeed during the approach and of the targeted reference landing airspeed (VREF)/airspeed, plus wind gust adjustments, over the runway threshold. An excessive approach speed may result in an excessive speed over the runway's threshold, which may result in landing beyond the intended touchdown point as well as a higher speed from which the pilot must bring the airplane to a stop. The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N228MG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N228MG-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 71045, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GONZALEZ MANUEL A RV 7 (A) - Registry model: [Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gonzalez-manuel-a-rv-7a) (registry code 056193V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 71045 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 465.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2016 - Departed: AWO, ARLINGTON, WA - Destination: W10, Langley, WA - Airport: W10, Whidbey Air Park, runway 34, 2,470 × 25 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,498 total, 465 in this make and model, 2,948 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 9 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 20160716006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160716006649A), Jul 16, 2016: Gonzalez Manuel A RV-7A, Langley, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed on a part 91 flight from arlington, WA (kawo) to Langley, WA (W10). Upon arrival at W10 he felt the winds were light and elected to make a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93628. 2.2 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=40445515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.