# NTSB SEA05LA054: Simpkins RV-6A, N664DS, Yamhill, OR, March 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2005, 17:00 local (Mar 6, 2005, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Yamhill, OR - Coordinates: 45.361667, -123.355552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3617&lon=-123.3556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61096/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA054 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. Factors contributing to the accident included the wet runway and the embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis After touching down on the main landing gear the airplane began to veer to the left on the wet runway. In an attempt to correct back to the right the pilot applied right rudder; however, this was not effective. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, went over an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest in an inverted position. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. Winds were reported to be variable at 2 miles per hours. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2005, approximately 1700 Pacific standard time, a Simpkins RV-6A single-engine airplane, N664DS, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and nose over during the landing roll at the Flying M Airport (OR05), Yamhill, Oregon. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries and his sole passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight to OR05 departed the Country Squire Airport, Sandy, Oregon, at 1630. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after arriving at OR05 he overflew the airstrip to check the windsock; winds were variable at 2 miles per hour. The pilot stated that he elected to land on Runway 25, which he characterized as "a soft field one-way runway located at the foot of the coastal mountains surrounded by trees and hills." The pilot stated that he entered the pattern on an extended left downwind, and that on final approach, "Everything looked normal. Wind and weather conditions were good." The pilot reported that after touching down on the main [landing gear], "...I felt the plane drift to the left. I applied pressure to the right rudder to keep the airplane on the center of the runway, but the rudder wasn't effective at all." The pilot stated that the airplane then went down an embankment and flipped over, coming to rest inverted with the nose of the airplane pointing back toward the east. When asked by the IIC if he attempted to add some right brake to correct, the pilot replied, "...no. Everything happened so fast [I] just didn't have time after trying to correct with right rudder." The pilot reported that the landing surface was soft, and its condition was rough and wet. The pilot related to the IIC that during the summer of 2004 he noticed the left brake dragging while taxiing for takeoff, which the aircraft owner subsequently repaired. The pilot stated that he had flown the airplane several times prior to the accident, including the previous week, and didn't notice any problems with the brakes. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airframe or engine which would have prevented normal operations. A postaccident examination of the brakes and brake system by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no anomalies which would have prevented normal operation. An FAA inspector who traveled to the accident site reported damage to the aircraft included the propeller spinner being crushed and broken, one propeller blade was bent rearward approximately 45 degrees, and the top of the rudder and vertical stabilizer were damaged. Additionally, the cockpit canopy overhead roll bar had collapsed, the left wing tip was damaged, and the nose landing gear was damaged. The inspector also reported that after the airplane was turned upright and while being moved from the accident location, both wheels turned freely and neither brake exhibited any signs of dragging. The airplane was released to the owner's representative on March 16, 2005. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N664DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N664DS-2005-05-12), registration cancelled 2005-05-12, S/N 20664, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Simpkins RV-6A - Registry model: [Simpkins David G RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/simpkins-david-g-rv-6a) (registry code 05607DN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20664 - Airframe hours: 150 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mohammad S. Brimo - Registered owner: David G. Simpkins - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2004, 15 hours before - Departed: S48, Sandy, OR - Destination: OR05, Yamhill, OR - Airport: OR05, Flying M Airport, runway 25, 2,100 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 3, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 37 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 79; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 29, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 323 total, 129 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg ## 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 20050305003069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050305003069A), Mar 5, 2005: Amtr RV6A, Yamhill, OR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On March 5, 2005 at approximately 1700 PST a simpkins RV-6A N664DS sustained substantial damage during landing at the Flying m ranch airstrip near… 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.