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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 15, 2005 · Harmel RV6A · N221MH

Oceanside, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oceanside, CA
Aircraft
Harmel RV6A
Tail Number
N221MH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX06CA019

The airplane porpoised on landing and nosed over after separation of the nose wheel. The pilot said he was on final approach at 70 mph over the runway numbers. He leveled out the airplane for touchdown and believed his main landing gear were on the ground for about 100 yards; however, he was mistaken, and in fact, the airplane had not touched down. He released backpressure on the elevator control believing he was on the ground and the airplane's nose wheel touched down on the runway and the airplane began to porpoise. The pilot attempted to ride out the ensuing oscillations, but they only worsened. The nose wheel broke off and the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway where it exited the paved surface. The nose landing gear strut dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-induced oscillations encountered on landing following the pilot's misjudged landing flare and premature release of elevator backpressure during touchdown.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 2005, at 1305 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Harmel RV6A experimental airplane, N221MH, nosed over while landing on runway 24 at Oceanside Municipal Airport, Oceanside, California. The airplane was registered to the pilot, who was also the builder. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Mesquite, Nevada, at 1030, and was destined for Oceanside. According to the pilot's written statement (provided as part of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report; NTSB Form 6120.1/2), he was on final approach at 70 mph over the runway numbers. He leveled out the airplane for touchdown and believed his main landing gear were on the ground for about 100 yards; however, he was mistaken, and in fact, the airplane had not touched down. He released backpressure on the elevator control believing he was on the ground, and the airplane's nose wheel touched down on the runway and the airplane began to porpoise. The pilot attempted to ride out the ensuing oscillations, but they only worsened. The nose wheel broke off and the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway where it exited the paved surface. The nose landing gear strut dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over onto its spinner where it teetered for a moment before rolling onto the topside of the fuselage. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane after airport rescue personnel broke the canopy. The airplane sustained structural damage to its fuselage-to-right wing mating area. The pilot added that the accident was simply a case of "pilot-induced-oscillations." Under the section titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)" in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot indicated he could have maintained backpressure longer during the landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 PDT
Nearest AirportOceanside Municipal (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length2712 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHarmel RV6A
Tail NumberN221MH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data