# NTSB MIA06CA084: Linwood R. Lawrence Van's Aircraft RV-9A, N339DL, Venice, FL, April 8, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 8, 2006, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Venice, FL
- Coordinates: 27.071666, -82.440277
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0717&lon=-82.4403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Tampa, Florida
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that his approach speed on final approach to land was too fast, and the touchdown point was beyond the optimum touchdown point. He said he inappropriately had a nose low attitude, and the nose gear rather than the main gear hit the runway with a thump.  He then executed a go-around, and the second approach was better. He flared and landed the airplane on the main landing gear, and as nose was lowered, there was a scraping sound. After stopping the airplane the pilot said he noted that the airplane had incurred damage. Prior to the accident there had been no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems.

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 2006, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a experimental amateur-built David W. Lawrence, model  Van's Aircraft RV-9A airplane, N339DL, registered to and operated by David Lawrence, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, made a hard landing at Venice, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Punta Gorda, Florida, the same day, about 1330.

The pilot stated that his approach speed on final approach to land was too fast, and the touch down point was beyond the optimum touchdown point. He said he inappropriately had a nose low attitude, and the nose gear rather than the main gear hit the runway with a thump.  He then executed a go-around, and the second approach was better. He flared and landed the airplane on the main landing gear, and as nose was lowered, there was a scraping sound. After stopping the airplane the pilot said he noted that the airplane had incurred damage. Prior to the accident there had been no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N339DL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N339DL), registered now, S/N 90206 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Linwood R. Lawrence Van's Aircraft RV-9A
- Registry model: [Lawrence D W/Lawrence L R VANS RV-9A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lawrence-d-w-lawrence-l-r-vans-rv-9a) (registry code 05615S0) (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: 90206
- Airframe hours: 39
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David R. Lawrence
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL
- Destination: VNC, Venice, FL
- Airport: VNC, Venice Municipal, runway 22, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 742 total, 6 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: VNC

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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