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September 23, 2019 · Vans RV 6 Undesignat · N12033

Lakeland, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lakeland, FL
Aircraft
Vans RV 6 Undesignat (1995)
Tail Number
N12033
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19TA277

The pilot, who was also a flight instructor, stated that the airplane owner contacted him for tailwheel instruction in his recently purchased airplane. The owner did not hold a pilot certificate, but the pilot agreed to fly the airplane with the owner as a passenger. The pilot stated that, during landing approach, “the airplane banked to the left and pitch[ed] down about 8 or 10 degrees.” The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, but the controls were “very stiff.” He recalled heading toward the trees and tried again to move the controls; this time, the airplane pitched up slightly, but not enough to slow the descent. The airplane impacted trees and the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that he thought the passenger applied control inputs during landing, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane. He stated that the airplane “definitely did not stall.” He also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The owner of the airplane did not provide a statement regarding the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained

Full Narrative

On September 23, 2019, about 1157 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-6, N12033, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The pilot received serious injuries; the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was also a flight instructor, stated that the airplane owner contacted him for tailwheel instruction in his recently-purchased RV-6. The owner did not hold a pilot certificate, but the pilot agreed to fly the airplane with the owner as a passenger. The pilot performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted and departed on a local flight before returning to the airport. The pilot performed one go-around due to a crosswind, and during the subsequent landing approach, “the airplane banked to the left and pitch[ed] down about 8 or 10 degrees.” The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, but the controls were “very stiff.” He recalled heading toward the trees and tried again to move the controls; this time, the airplane pitched up slightly, but not enough to slow the descent. The airplane impacted trees and the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that he thought the passenger applied control inputs to maneuver the airplane during landing, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane. He stated that the airplane “definitely did not stall.” He also reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The owner of the airplane did not provide a statement regarding the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit controls to the elevator and ailerons.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:57 EDT
Nearest AirportSouth Lakeland Airport (0.1nm SSE)
Runway32
Runway Length2412 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV 6 Undesignat
Tail NumberN12033
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 78 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data