# NTSB LAX93LA355: Alfred F. Dibernardino RV-6A, N45FD, Mesa, AZ, September 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1993, 09:27 local (16:27 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429039, -111.710418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4290&lon=-111.7104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA355

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain the landing airspeed.  The inadvertent stall was a factor related to this accident.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN PERSONAL FLIGHT.  ON THE FIRST APPROACH THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE.  THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING WHICH COLLAPSED THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEARS.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1993, at 0927 hours mountain standard time, an Alfred F. DiBernardino RV-6A amateur built airplane, N45FD, sustained a hard landing on runway 22L at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona.  The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Falcon Field at 0920.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he flared the airplane about 6 feet above the ground and then the left wing dropped.  He applied right aileron to arrest the left wing low attitude, but without success.  The left wing struck the runway followed by the right wing.  The nose and right main landing gears collapsed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45FD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ALFRED F. DIBERNARDINO RV-6A
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20146
- Airframe hours: 28
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfred F. Dibernardino
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 21, 1993, 14 hours before
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 4L, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 28 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930911035899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911035899A), Sep 11, 1993: Amtr RV6, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Leveled off at 6 feet on landing. Failed corrective action. Left wing dropped and hit runway. Collapsed gear.

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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