# NTSB NYC94LA169: Donald E. Kovol Quickie 2, N4327V, Akron, OH, September 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1994, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Akron, OH
- Coordinates: 40.900402, -81.430061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9004&lon=-81.4301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA169

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADEQUATE FLARE AND A HARD LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## 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)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOR THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN TYPE.  THE PILOT INTENDED TO LIFT OFF AND THEN LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE RUNWAY AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS OF FLIGHT.  THE TAKEOFF WAS UNEVENTFUL. WHEN THE PILOT REDUCED POWER TO LAND, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED FASTER THAN THE PILOT EXPECTED.  IN A WRITTEN REPORT HE SAID, 'TOO SLOW FOR LANDING - DROPPED ONTO RUNWAY APPROX 8 FEET ALTITUDE.'  THE RIGHT CANARD/LANDING GEAR WAS FRACTURED.  THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1994, at 1905 eastern daylight time, a Quickie 2, N4327V, owned and operated by Mr. Donald E. Kovol, of Stow, Ohio, made a hard landing at the Akron-Fulton County Airport, Akron, Ohio.  The airplane received substantial damage and the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported this was the initial test flight of the airplane.  The plan was to become airborne, and then touchdown on the runway after 5 to 10 seconds of flight.  The airplane became airborne on runway 25 without incident, however, when he retarded the power to land, the airplane settled faster than he expected.  In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot said, "... Too slow for landing - dropped onto runway from approx 8 feet altitude."  The right canard/landing gear was fractured, and the propeller contacted the runway.  The airplane stopped on the runway.  The pilot reported the winds as 4 knots and straight down the runway.

In the NTSB Accident Report From, the private pilot reported his total time as 96 hours with no time in the Quickie 2.  He had 6 hours in the preceding 90 days, all in a Cessna 172.  He had ground taxied the airplane for 14 hours.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4327V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DONALD E. KOVOL QUICKIE 2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2282
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100D 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Koval
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: AKR, Akron-Fulton Co. Arpt, runway 7, 5,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 96 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CA, 7 nm away

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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