# NTSB SEA07LA087: Burdette RV-3, N455DB, Bountiful, UT, March 31, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2007, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Bountiful, UT - Coordinates: 40.868057, -111.926109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8681&lon=-111.9261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Salt Lake FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65515/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include an earthen berm near the point where the aircraft departed the side of the runway. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an attempted full-stop three-point landing in the tailwheel-equipped aircraft, the aircraft bounced back into the air after the initial touchdown. While it was in the air it started to drift toward the side of the runway. When the aircraft touched down a second time, it started to "fishtail." During the pilot's attempt to keep the aircraft tracking straight, it departed the left side of the runway, encountered a nearby earthen berm, and flipped over onto its back. There was no evidence that there had been any problem with the rudder or tailwheel steering systems. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that he needed "more takeoff and landing practice." ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2007, approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, an experimental Burdette RV-3, N455DB, nosed over during the landing roll at Bountiful Skypark, Bountiful, Utah. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Tooele, Utah, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was attempting to do a full-stop three-point landing in the tailwheel-equipped aircraft, the aircraft bounced back into the air after the initial touchdown. While it was in the air it started to drift toward the side of the runway. When the aircraft touched down a second time, it started to "fishtail." During the pilot's attempt to keep the aircraft tracking straight, it departed the left side of the runway, encountered a nearby earthen berm, and flipped over onto its back. According to the pilot, there was no evidence that there had been any problem with the rudder or tailwheel steering systems. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that he needed "more takeoff and landing practice." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N455DB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N455DB), registered now, S/N 0004, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burdette RV-3 - Registry model: [Burdette Ralph D RV-3-R](https://openairdocs.org/model/burdette-ralph-d-rv-3-r) (registry code 0560478) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0004 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brett C. Austin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2006 - Departed: KTVY, Tooele VAlley, UT - Destination: KBTF, Bountiful, UT - Airport: KBTF, Skypark, runway 34, 5,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 687 total, 5 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 20070331004359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070331004359A), Mar 31, 2007: Burdet RV3R, Bountiful, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 31, 2007 at about 15:15 MDT, experimental burdette RV-3 N455DB summersaulted after landing on runway 35 at Skypark airport in woodscross, Utah.… 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.