# NTSB WPR11CA086: Giorgio Anthony J RV4, N322RV, Torrance, CA, January 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2011, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.803333, -118.339447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8033&lon=-118.3394&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78102/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78102 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare that resulted in a hard landing and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05605D1), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the left main gear collapsed resulting in a ground loop. He stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that after landing the airplane seemed to oscillate then it pulled to the right, resulting in a ground loop into the grass on the right side of the runway. He also stated that he was not used to carrying a passenger in the rear seat. A postaccident inspection by an FAA inspector noted damage to the engine and strut mount assembly that was consistent with a hard landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the left main gear collapsed resulting in a ground loop. The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that after landing the airplane seemed to oscillate then it pulled to the right, resulting in a ground loop into the grass on the right side of the runway. He also stated he was not used to carrying a passenger in the rear seat. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and noted damage to the engine and strut mount assembly that was consistent with a hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N322RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N322RV-2011-06-29), registration cancelled 2011-06-29, S/N 002, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GIORGIO ANTHONY J RV4 - Registry model: [Giorgio Anthony J RV4](https://openairdocs.org/model/giorgio-anthony-j-rv4) (registry code 05605D1) (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: 002 - Airframe hours: 117 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2010, 25 hours before - Departed: TOA, Torrance, CA - Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA - Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field Airport, runway 29R, 5,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,696 total, 117 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: TOA ## 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 20110101000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110101000269A), Jan 1, 2011: Giorgio Ant RV4, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. After landing runway 29R, during rollout, the aircraft veered to the right into the grassy area adjacent to the runway and ground looped, causing damage to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78102. 228 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA FSDO IIC Statement (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20FSDO%20IIC%20Statement-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.