# NTSB GAA19CA337: Vans RV10, N702CL, Fort Drum, FL, May 25, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 25, 2019, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Drum, FL
- Coordinates: 27.541944, -80.833053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5419&lon=-80.8331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99619/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99619
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA337

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## 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: [Hukill Christopher J RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056337O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hukill Christopher J RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056337O), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Hukill Christopher J RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056337O), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hukill Christopher J RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056337O), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Hukill Christopher J RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056337O), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during approach, he allowed the airspeed to decrease, and the airplane aerodynamically stalled about 15 ft above ground level. The airplane then landed hard on the turf runway and slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear attachment points. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during approach, he allowed the airspeed to decrease and the airplane aerodynamically stalled about 15ft above the runway surface. The airplane landed hard on the turf runway and slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the landing gear attachment points. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N702CL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N702CL), registered now, S/N 40429, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vans RV10 (No Series)
- Registry model: [Hukill Christopher J RV10](https://openairdocs.org/model/hukill-christopher-j-rv10) (registry code 056337O) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-EXP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-exp) (registry code 42167, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 40429
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 560.6
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 17, 2018
- Departed: LNA, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: FL75, Fort Drum, FL
- Airport: FL75, Indian Hammock, runway 11, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 530 total, 475 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 62.2 in the last 90 days, 43.9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KOBE, 16 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 20190525005159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190525005159A), May 25, 2019: Hukill Christopher J RV10, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot reported initiating a normal visual approach. As he flew in the traffic pattern he said "something felt a little off. I stalled the airplane not too…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99619. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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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