# NTSB GAA17CA052: Chaudoin George S RV 10, N710GC, Portsmouth, NH, October 4, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 4, 2016, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Portsmouth, NH
- Coordinates: 43.778057, -71.75389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7781&lon=-71.7539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94321/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94321
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA052

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to go around after recognizing that the airplane was high and fast, which resulted in a long landing on a wet runway and a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [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: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05617VM), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane fast and long, and was unaware that the grass runway was "extremely" wet. He further reported that the airplane was unable to slow down before exiting the end of the runway and impacting a dirt road. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear had collapsed and the firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane fast and long, and was unaware that the grass runway was "extremely" wet. He further reported that the airplane was unable to slow down before exiting the end of the runway and impacting a dirt road. A post examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear had collapsed and the firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N710GC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N710GC), registered now, S/N 40040, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAUDOIN GEORGE S RV 10 (A)
- Registry model: [Chaudoin George S RV-10A](https://openairdocs.org/model/chaudoin-george-s-rv-10a) (registry code 05617VM) (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: 40040
- Year built: 2011
- Engines: Mattituck TMXO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PSM, PORTSMOUTH, NH
- Destination: 1P1, Portsmouth, NH
- Airport: 1P1, Plymouth Muni, runway 30, 2,347 × 90 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 18, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 26,868 total, 648,648 in this make and model, 23,921 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observed at: K1P1

## 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 20161004019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161004019849A), Oct 4, 2016: Chaudoin George S RV-10A, Plymouth, NH, Substantial damage. This aircraft accident had not been reported to the NTSB at the time of its discovery by this inspector on 10/20/2016. The pilot entered downwind to fly a…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94321. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's/Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%2FPassenger%20Statements-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 614 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447184&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.

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