# NTSB WPR10LA250: Wildman RV6-A, N578RJ, Columbia, CA, May 20, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 2010, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 38.030277, -120.414443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0303&lon=-120.4144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76075 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76075/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76075 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA250 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind and improper landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wildman Richard RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627AK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot-rated passenger seated in the right seat reported that, just prior to landing, the pilot listened to the airport's automated weather observing system, which reported a 90-degree crosswind of 7 knots gusting to 14 knots. During the landing sequence, and just before touchdown, the airplane suddenly lost altitude and landed hard, striking the left wing and landing gear on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. The airplane bounced a second time before impacting and coming to rest against three unoccupied, parked airplanes. Postaccident examination verified flight control continuity throughout the rudder, elevator, right aileron, and left flap. The damage to the left aileron outboard hinge and right flap control arm were both consistent with impact damage. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2010, at 1605 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Wildman RV6-A, N578RJ, collided with three parked airplanes while landing at the Columbia Airport, Columbia, California. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot seated in the left seat received serious injuries, and the commercial pilot/owner seated in the right seat was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed from Gustine Airport, Gustine, California, about 1520. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot in the right seat, his wife was flying and in the left seat. They listened to the airport’s automated weather observing system (AWOS) prior to landing; and were compensating for the gusty 90-degree crosswind. Just before touchdown, the pilot reported that the airplane suddenly lost altitude and the left wing and landing gear impacted the ground. Subsequently, the airplane became “uncontrollable and bounced,” veering to the left. The airplane bounced a second time before impacting and coming to rest against three unoccupied, parked airplanes. Post accident examination of the airframe by a certificated airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic revealed major damage to the right wing. Control continuity was established between all components and connecting hardware to the elevator and rudder. The aileron control system and all of its components, linkages, and hardware were operational, with the exception of the left aileron’s outboard hinge, which was sheered off of the bolt head and shank. The flap actuator was in the full down position. The left flap contained minor damage and was in the full down position. The right flap sustained major damage and the control arm was broken off of the torque tube. The AWOS located at the accident airport reported at the time of the accident, wind was from 250 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 14 knots; sky clear; visibility greater than 10 miles; temperature 20 degrees Celsius; and dew point 7 degrees Celsius. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N578RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N578RJ-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 60373, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wildman RV6-A - Registry model: [Wildman Richard RV6-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wildman-richard-rv6-a) (registry code 05627AK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60373 - Airframe hours: 211 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-EXP 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 25, 2009, 211 hours before - Departed: 3O1, Gustine, CA - Destination: O22, Columbia, CA - Airport: O22, Columbia Airport, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 348 total, 116 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: O22 ## 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 20100520005779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100520005779A), May 20, 2010: Wildman Ric RV6-A, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. On may 20, 2010, at 1605 pacific daylight time, an experimental Wildman RV6-A, N578RJ, collided with three parked airplanes while landing at the Columbia… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76075. 690 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Damage Report (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Damage%20Report-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation: Witness #1 (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Witness%20%231-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation: Witness #2 (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Witness%20%232-Master.PDF - Local Weather (AWOS) (item 5, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Local%20Weather%20(AWOS)-Master.PDF 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.