# NTSB SEA97LA213: Barrigar RV-6, N812AB, Goldendale, WA, September 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1997, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Goldendale, WA - Coordinates: 45.840404, -120.759368 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8404&lon=-120.7594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's delayed initiation of a go-around maneuver, downhill, and soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - aborted - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot flared early and touched down approximately 500 feet beyond the east end of the 3,490-foot-long paved runway. During the touchdown the aircraft bounced 6-8 times, and then veered off the left side of the runway. Once the aircraft's left main wheel entered the graveled area alongside the runway, the pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The aircraft continued to diverge from the runway edge, rolled down an embankment alongside the runway and, upon rolling through soft terrain, nosed over. The pilot reported that he should have added power after the first bounce and aborted the landing at that time. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1997, approximately 1315 hours Pacific daylight time, a Barrigar homebuilt RV-6, N812AB, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on touchdown and subsequent nose over during the landing roll at the Goldendale airport, Goldendale, Washington. The pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Prineville, Oregon, approximately 1234 hours. The pilot reported that he touched down approximately 500 feet beyond the east end of the 3,490 foot long runway 25 and that his "flare was early and the plane bounced several time, 6 to 8." He reported that "When it (the aircraft) finally quit bouncing I was heading for the left side of the runway. I applied full right rudder but the plane's left wheel left the hard surface and ran into loose gravel along the edge of the runway." As the aircraft continued to pull to the left the pilot "applied full power and attempted to regain directional control and abort the landing." The aircraft then departed the left side of the runway, rolled down an embankment and nosed over in the soft terrain alongside the runway (refer to photograph 1). The pilot reported that the airport windsock was "hanging limp" at the time of the landing and there was no mechanical malfunction with his aircraft. He also reported in the "Recommendation" section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted (How could this accident have been prevented): "Add power after (the) first bounce and abort the landing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N812AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812AB), registered now, S/N 23759, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARRIGAR RV-6 - Registry model: [Barrigar AL RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/barrigar-al-rv-6) (registry code 05628BW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d1a) (registry code 42145, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23759 - Airframe hours: 30 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barrigar, Alan, R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1997, 18 hours before - Departed: S39, PRINEVILLE, OR - Destination: S20 - Airport: S20, Goldendale, runway 25, 3,490 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 165 total, 35 in this make and model, 96 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DLS, 19 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 19970921027759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970921027759A), Sep 21, 1997: Amtr RV6, Goldendale, WA, Substantial damage. Landed, skidded about 100 yards, and flipped over. ## Other investigations on N812AB (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 SEA97LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA047), Jan 9, 1997: Barriger RV-6 (N812AB), The Dalles, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during an intentional low altitude maneuver. 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.