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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 27, 2003 · Longjev RV-6A · N72159

Backus, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Backus, MN
Aircraft
Longjev RV-6A
Tail Number
N72159
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03LA137

The experimental amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage when it bounced and nosed over during landing. The pilot reported that the main landing gear touched down earlier than he had expected. The pilot stated that he recently became part owner in the accident aircraft. He accumulated a total time of 8.9 hours in the RV-6A model of aircraft, of which 4 hours were in the past 30 days.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate flare and recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2003, at 1735 central daylight time (cdt), an experimental amateur-built Longjev RV-6A, N72159, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over on runway 33 (3,588 feet by 145 feet, turf) at Backus Municipal Airport (7Y3), Backus, Minnesota. The pilot reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight departed Flying Cloud Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 1626. The pilot reported that approximately 2 miles from 7Y3, he decided to use runway 33 due to his observation of the wind sock and Pine River Airport's (PWC) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear touched down earlier than he had expected. The airplane then bounced and nosed over. The PWC AWOS, located 8 miles northwest of 7Y3, recorded, at 1738: wind 260 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot stated that he recently became part owner in the accident aircraft. He accumulated a total time of 8.9 hours, of which 4 hours were in the past 30 days.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:35 CDT
Nearest AirportBackus Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length3588 ft
Runway Width145 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLongjev RV-6A
Tail NumberN72159
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data