# NTSB SEA06CA086: Schmidt RV7A, N20342, Northport, WA, April 26, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 26, 2006, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Northport, WA
- Coordinates: 48.927501, -117.764442
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9275&lon=-117.7644&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA086

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown.  Factors contributing to the accident included the gusty wind and soft terrain conditions which resulted in the aircraft nosing over during the landing roll.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while attempting to land on Runway 23, at about 20 feet above the ground and 200 feet from the end the runway, he experienced a strong gust of wind, which forced the airplane to the runway and the nose strut to fail.  The pilot stated that as the airplane slowed and he exited the runway to the south side, soft ground was encountered, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.  The pilot estimated the wind at the time of the accident was 220 degrees at 20 to 25 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while attempting to land on Runway 23, at about 20 feet above the ground and 200 feet from the end the runway, he experienced a strong gust of wind, which forced the airplane to the runway and the nose strut to fail.  The pilot stated that as the airplane slowed and he exited the runway to the south side, soft ground was encountered, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.  The pilot estimated the wind at the time of the accident was 220 degrees at 20 to 25 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20342-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 70204, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schmidt RV7A
- Registry model: [Schmidt Steve RV7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schmidt-steve-rv7a) (registry code 056141D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 70204
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen F. Schmidt
- Registered owner: Stephen F. Schmidt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 63S, Colville, WA
- Destination: Northport, WA
- Airport: NONE, Schmidt Airport, runway 23

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 4,650 total, 317 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060426007049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060426007049A), Apr 26, 2006: Amtr RV7A, Northport, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] of N20342 made a hard landing at his private airport near Northport, WA. According to the pilot the winds were…

## Other investigations on N20342 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN18LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA295), Jul 24, 2018: Vans RV7A (N20342), Princeton, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A flat nosewheel tire, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control on landing.

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.