# NTSB NYC07CA035: Baggett RV6A, N5779, Nokesville, VA, November 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 21, 2006, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Nokesville, VA - Coordinates: 38.716388, -77.634719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7164&lon=-77.6347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Washington, DC - NTSB case key (mKey): 64906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64906/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compenstation for a crosswind while landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the amateur-built RV6A airplane stated that it was his first landing attempt in the airplane at his home airport. The runway was oriented east/west on rolling terrain with several "undulations" along its length. The pilot explained that his usual technique was to touchdown on the upslope of the first undulation, become airborne "briefly" over the crest, then touchdown again on the downslope and complete the landing on the runway. He had performed this landing "many times" in his 2,400-pound Grumman Cheetah. While landing the 1,500-pound RV6A, the pilot closed the throttle at touchdown on the upslope, crested the rise, and climbed "much higher than my previous aircraft." The airplane remained airborne a greater distance down the runway than usual, and a "strong crosswind blew it" off the south side of the runway where it landed and subsequently struck a tree. The pilot reported 196 total hours of flight experience, 7 hours of which were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The winds reported 5 miles east were from 030 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the amateur-built RV6A airplane stated that it was his first landing attempt in the airplane at his home airport. The runway was oriented east/west on rolling terrain with several "undulations" along its length. The pilot explained that his usual technique was to touch down on the upslope of the first undulation, become airborne "briefly" over the crest, then touch down again on the downslope and complete the landing on the runway. He had performed this landing "many times" in his 2,400-pound Grumman Cheetah. While landing the 1,500-pound RV6A, the pilot closed the throttle at touchdown on the upslope, crested the rise, and climbed "much higher than my previous aircraft." The airplane remained airborne a greater distance down the runway than usual, and a "strong crosswind blew it" off the south side of the runway where it landed and subsequently struck a tree. The pilot reported 196 total hours of flight experience, 7 hours of which were in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The winds reported 5 miles east were from 030 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5779](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5779-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 6004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Baggett RV6A - Registry model: [Baggett Robert E RV6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/baggett-robert-e-rv6a) (registry code 05604X3) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60004 - Airframe hours: 199 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James F. Gilmore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2006, 10 hours before - Departed: KCJR, Culpeper, VA - Destination: 51VA, Nokesville, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 51VA, Skyview, runway 27, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 196 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: HEF ## 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 20061121028189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061121028189A), Nov 21, 2006: Amtr RV6A, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that this was the first attempted landing in this particular aircraft. Final approach was without incident, touchdown to the west was as… 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.