# NTSB GAA17CA238: Cheung David S Vans RV6, N822DC, Indianola, IA, April 17, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 17, 2017, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Indianola, IA
- Coordinates: 41.301387, -93.567497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3014&lon=-93.5675&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95030/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA238

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway overrun.

## Findings

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

- [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: [Cheung David S VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056141G), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cheung David S VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056141G), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cheung David S VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=056141G), [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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cheung David S VANS RV6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056141G), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he overshot the wet, grass runway during landing and impacted a ditch. However, he added that he should have touched down at a slower speed and that the wet, grass runway affected the braking performance. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, he overshot the wet, grass runway during landing and impacted a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N822DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N822DC-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 60510, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHEUNG DAVID S VANS RV6 (A)
- Registry model: [Cheung David S VANS RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cheung-david-s-vans-rv6a) (registry code 056141G) (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: 60510
- Year built: 2007
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PEA, PELLA, IA
- Destination: IA66, Indianola, IA
- Airport: IA66, Nash Field Indianola, runway 36, 2,215 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 504 total, 400 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: KDSM, 14 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 20170417008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170417008469A), Apr 17, 2017: Cheung David S VANS RV6A, Indianola, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft touched down mid field runway 36. Excessive approach speed and hard landing caused the aircraft to bounce and become airborne. The aircraft…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95030. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 963 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 729 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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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