# NTSB NYC04CA112: Bolger Scott RV-6A, N999SB, Fredericksburg, VA, April 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2004, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, VA - Coordinates: 38.266666, -77.449165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2667&lon=-77.4492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59138/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA112 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain airspeed during a precautionary landing which resulted in an undershoot and subsequent impact with terrain. A factor was the inadequate pre-flight inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - landing gear,towbar/attachment - not removed - Nose over, landing - landing gear,towbar/attachment - not removed - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis After takeoff, the pilot was notified that the tow bar was still attached to the nose wheel, and he attempted to return to land. Upon turning final for the runway, the pilot extended the flaps to 40 degrees, and the airplane subsequently got too slow. Unable to make the runway, the pilot elected to perform a landing to a field. While touching down, the tow bar came in contact with the ground, and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2004, about 1630 eastern daylight time, an amateur built RV-6A, N999SB, was substantially damaged while executing a precautionary landing after departing from the Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, he was notified that the airplane's tow bar was attached and hanging from the nose wheel. The pilot remained in the traffic pattern and attempted to land on runway 6, a 2,910-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. Upon turning final, he extended the flaps to 40 degrees, and subsequently the airplane got too slow and could not make the runway. The pilot decided to land on a dirt field, west of runway 6. While touching down, the tow bar came in contact with the ground, and caused the airplane to nose over. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the landing gear, fuselage skin and nose cowl. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported 1,125 hours of total flight experience, which included about 70 hours in the same make and model of the accident airplane. Winds reported at Shannon, at 1620 hours, were from 300 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N999SB (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bolger Scott RV-6A - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 167 - Engines: Lycoming O 360 A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A. Evans - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 2003, 70 hours before - Departed: EZF, Fredericksburg, VA - Destination: EZF - Airport: EXF, Shannon Airport, runway 24, 2,910 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 31, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 1,125 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,019 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: EZF ## 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 20040428022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040428022659A), Apr 28, 2004: Amtr RV6A, Fredericksburg, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed Fredericksburg Shannon Airport (ezf) with the aircraft tow bar attached. Immediately after departure, the pilot was informed over the… 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.