# NTSB NYC99LA142: Morrow RV-6, N173AB, Bradford, PA, June 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1999, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Bradford, PA - Coordinates: 41.029235, -78.319786 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0292&lon=-78.3198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46596 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46596/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing, and subsequent collapse of the nose gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot of the airplane was landing on a private grass strip. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported 75 hours of total flight experience, of which seven hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Winds reported at an airport about seven miles north of the accident site were from 130 degrees at seven knots. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1999, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt RV-6, N173AB, was substantially damaged while landing at a private unlisted grass strip in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The non-certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight that departed the Bradford Regional Airport (BFD). The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The unlisted grass strip was located about 7 miles south of BFD, and the airplane was landing to the east. When interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot stated that just prior to landing, a "gust of wind" forced the airplane's nose gear down into the turf runway. The nose gear dug into the ground and the airplane flipped over onto it's back. The pilot said he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot did not posses a pilot certificate. He reported 75 hours of total flight experience, with 7 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. Additionally, the pilot's last medical certificate was issued in 1977. Review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the airplane did not have a current condition inspection. Winds reported at BFD, at 1253, were from 130 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N173AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173AB-2004-07-15), registration cancelled 2004-07-15, S/N BM-01, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Morrow RV-6 - Registry model: [Morrow William S SCAMP-A WT-S3](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrow-william-s-scamp-a-wt-s3) (registry code 0564590) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BM-01 - Engines: Volkswagen 1850 72 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward H. Crisman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1997 - Departed: BFD, PA - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, None, runway 9, 1,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 75 total, 7 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BFD, 7 nm away ## 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 19990612043989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990612043989A), Jun 12, 1999: Bradford, PA, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that, on landing, a gust of wind forced the nose of the airplane into the ground causing the nose wheel to collapse. This caused 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.