# NTSB WPR09CA080: Tarantola RV6A, N164LT, Onalaska, WA, November 24, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 24, 2008, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Onalaska, WA
- Coordinates: 46.582221, -122.627502
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5822&lon=-122.6275&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA080

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind, which resulted in the runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the tailwind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause)

## Analysis

The private pilot of the experimental airplane reported that he was landing at the private airstrip in windy conditions. He said that he landed on runway 27 with a 20-knot tailwind and was unable to stop before the end of the 1,100-foot runway. The airplane continued beyond the end of the runway and collided with a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot of the experimental airplane reported that he was landing at the private airstrip in windy conditions. He said that he landed on runway 27 with a 20 knot tailwind and was unable to stop before the end of the 1,100 foot runway. The airplane continued beyond the end of the runway and collided with a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. No pre accident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N164LT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N164LT), registered now, S/N 21633, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TARANTOLA RV6A
- Registry model: [Tarantola Leonard RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/tarantola-leonard-rv-6a) (registry code 05623TG) (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: 21633
- Airframe hours: 1006
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard A. Decker
- Registered owner: Richard A. Decker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 6, 2008, 23 hours before
- Departed: S36, Covington, WA
- Destination: PVT, Onalaska, WA
- Airport: PVT, Onalaska - Private, runway 27, 1,100 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,510 total, 294 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N164LT (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR10CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA151), Mar 5, 2010: Tarantola Leonard RV-6A (N164LT), Onalaska, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's bounced landing on a soft turf runway, resulting in a collapsed nose landing gear.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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