# NTSB NYC99LA143: Flaherty RV-6, N81081, Jeannette, PA, June 13, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1999, 16:42 local (20:42 UTC)
- Place: Jeannette, PA
- Coordinates: 40.329944, -79.620155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3299&lon=-79.6202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA143

## Probable cause

The pilot-in-command misjudged altitude during a simulated forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was performing a simulated forced landing to Runway 20.  On short final approach, with idle power, the airplane experienced a downdraft.  He added power, but the left wing struck a small hill located at the approach end of the runway.  At an airport approximately 13 miles away, at 1653, the reported winds were from 160 degrees at 5 knots.

## Factual narrative

On June 13, 1999, about 1642 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt RV-6, N81081, was substantially damaged during a landing at Greensburg Jeannette Regional Airport, Jeannette, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from the Mount Pleasant/Scottdale Airport, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he was performing a simulated forced landing to Runway 20.  On short final approach, with idle power, the airplane experience a downdraft.  The pilot added power, but the left wing struck a small hill located at the approach end of the runway, and the airplane came to rest on the runway.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.  The Inspector observed structural damage to both wings and the fuselage.

At an airport approximately 13 miles away, at 1653, the reported winds were from 160 degrees at 5 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81081](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81081-2002-02-21), registration cancelled 2002-02-21, S/N 20333, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Flaherty RV-6
- Registry model: [Flaherty W/Morcheid L RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/flaherty-w-morcheid-l-rv-6) (registry code 05628D3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20333
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale Lochinger
- Registered owner: William Flaherty
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1999, 68 hours before
- Departed: P45, MOUNT PLEASANT, PA
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: 5G8, Greensburg Jeannette Apt., runway 20, 2,605 × 36 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: 390 total, 70 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 13 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 19990613046019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990613046019A), Jun 13, 1999: Amtr RV6, Jeannette, PA, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated: he was simulating proficiency emergency landing. The passenger on board was also a private pilot. N81081 overflew 5G8 at traffic pattern…

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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