# NTSB GAA17CA257: Nelson Sydney Vans Acft RV8A, N832SD, Englewood, CO, May 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2017, 11:23 local (17:23 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO - Coordinates: 39.569999, -104.849441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5700&lon=-104.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95110/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95110 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA257 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare and inadvertent selection of the mixture control, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing during gusting crosswind wind conditions. ## 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: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/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: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05614E6), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, he realized that the descent rate was a "little fast/ heavy," so he "reached to [the] left to add power and smooth out [the] flare." He further reported that he mistakenly grabbed the "red knob" (the mixture control), instead of the throttle, to arrest the descent rate. Subsequently, the airplane continued to descend, bounced hard on the runway, and became airborne again. When the airplane settled back onto the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane veered off the runway to the left and nosed over. The fuselage and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the accident airport recorded that, about the time of the accident, wind was from 360° at 8 knots, gusting 15 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 28. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, he realized that the descent rate was a "little fast/ heavy," so he "reached to [the] left to add power and smooth out [the] flare." He further reported that he mistakenly grabbed the "red knob," the mixture control, instead of the throttle to arrest the descent rate. Subsequently, the airplane continued to descend, bounced hard on the runway, and became airborne again. When the airplane settled back onto the runway, the nose landing gear collapsed, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane veered off the runway to the left and nosed over. The fuselage and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 360° at 8 knots, gusting 15 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 28. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N832SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N832SD), registered now, S/N 80832 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NELSON SYDNEY VANS ACFT RV8A (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-sydney-vans-acft-rv8a) (registry code 05614E6) (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: 80832 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 735 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2016 - Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO - Destination: APA, Englewood, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 28, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 534 total, 6 in this make and model, 467 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KAPA ## 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 20170504003999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170504003999A), May 4, 2017: Nelson Sydney VANS ACFT RV8A, Englewood, CO, Substantial damage. At 11:23, aircraft struck runway 28 while landing, damaging the nose gear. The aircraft departed the runway approximately 200 yards and to the left of the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95110. 907 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 233 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453773&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. --- 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.