Sunday, January 14, 2018

Loss of Control on Ground: Van's RV6-A, N812SM; accident occurred September 13, 2017 at Kelly Air Park (CO15), Elbert County, Colorado




The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N812SM


Location: Elbert, CO
Accident Number: CEN17LA367
Date & Time: 09/13/2017, 1337 MDT
Registration: N812SM
Aircraft: MILLER STEVEN M RV6 A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 13, 2017, about 1337 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV-6 experimental airplane, N812SM, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during an attempted go-around at Kelly Airpark (CO15), Elbert, Colorado. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from the La Junta Municipal Airport (LHX), La Junta, Colorado, at 1300.

The pilot stated that he was 5 miles south of CO15 and called the automated weather observing system (AWOS) via radio. He stated that the AWOS reported wind from 280° at 24 knots with gusts of 32 knots. He called AWOS again while entering the base leg for runway 27 and the reported wind again was from 280° with gusts of 32 knots. Upon turning to final, the pilot felt the strong wind and added power to stay higher than a normal approach. With flaps set to 40°, the pilot decreased power and started to flare. He stated that the wheels hit hard and the airplane bounced, and a gust of wind moved the airplane to the south off the runway. After another bounce, the pilot added power and attempted a go-around. The airplane struck a cistern to the left of the runway, a fence, and came to rest inverted.

A witnesses stated that there were strong wind gusts at the time of the accident. The nearest weather reporting facility was located about two miles from the accident site, and at 1329, the wind was reported from 280° at 21 knots with gusts of 25 knots. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/07/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/02/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1414 hours (Total, all aircraft), 795 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: MILLER STEVEN M
Registration: N812SM
Model/Series:  RV6-A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 23302
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/15/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1185 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A1A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MNH, 7060 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1329 MDT
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 10000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 12000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 21 knots / 25 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 290°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: 
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: LaJunta, CO (LHX)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Elbert, CO (CO15)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1300 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Kelly Airpark (CO15)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 7040 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 27
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1700 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Go Around 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 39.224722, -104.640000 (est)



Location: Elbert, CO
Accident Number: CEN17LA367
Date & Time: 09/13/2017, 1337 MDT
Registration: N812SM
Aircraft: MILLER STEVEN M RV6 A
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 13, 2017, about 1337 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV-6 experimental airplane, N812SM, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during an attempted go-around at Kelly Airpark (CO15), Elbert, Colorado. 

The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. 

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. 

The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. 

The flight originated at 1300 from the La Junta Municipal Airport (LHX), La Junta, Colorado, and CO15 was its destination.

The pilot stated that he was 5 miles south of CO15 and called the AWOS via radio.

He stated that the AWOS reported wind from 280 degrees at 24 knots with gusts of 32 knots.

He called AWOS again while entering the VFR base leg for runway 27 and the reported wind again was from 280 degrees with gusts of 32 knots. 

Upon turning to final, the pilot felt the strong wind and added power to stay higher than a normal approach. 

With flaps set to 40 degrees, the pilot decreased power and started to flare. 

He stated that the wheels hit hard and the airplane bounced, and a gust of wind moved the airplane to the south off the runway. 

After another bounce, the pilot added power and attempted a go-around. 

The airplane struck a cistern to the left of the runway, a fence, and came to rest inverted.

Two witnesses stated that there were very strong wind gusts at the time of the accident.

The nearest weather reporting facility was located about two miles from the accident site.

The METAR at 1329 (seven minutes prior to the accident) reported wind from 280 degrees at 21 knots with gusts of 25 knots.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MILLER STEVEN M
Registration: N812SM
Model/Series: RV6 A A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MNH, 7060 ft msl
Observation Time: 1329 MDT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 10000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 21 knots/ 25 knots, 290°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 12000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: LaJunta, CO (LHX)
Destination: Elbert, CO (CO15) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 39.224722, -104.640000 (est) Location: Elbert, CO
Accident Number: CEN17LA367
Date & Time: 09/13/2017, 1337 MDT
Registration: N812SM
Aircraft: MILLER STEVEN M RV6 A
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 13, 2017, about 1337 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV-6 experimental airplane, N812SM, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during an attempted go-around at Kelly Airpark (CO15), Elbert, Colorado. 

The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. 

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. 

The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. 

The flight originated at 1300 from the La Junta Municipal Airport (LHX), La Junta, Colorado, and CO15 was its destination.

The pilot stated that he was 5 miles south of CO15 and called the AWOS via radio.  He stated that the AWOS reported wind from 280 degrees at 24 knots with gusts of 32 knots.  He called AWOS again while entering the VFR base leg for runway 27 and the reported wind again was from 280 degrees with gusts of 32 knots. 

Upon turning to final, the pilot felt the strong wind and added power to stay higher than a normal approach. 

With flaps set to 40 degrees, the pilot decreased power and started to flare. He stated that the wheels hit hard and the airplane bounced, and a gust of wind moved the airplane to the south off the runway. 

After another bounce, the pilot added power and attempted a go-around. 

The airplane struck a cistern to the left of the runway, a fence, and came to rest inverted.

Two witnesses stated that there were very strong wind gusts at the time of the accident.

The nearest weather reporting facility was located about two miles from the accident site.

The METAR at 1329 (seven minutes prior to the accident) reported wind from 280 degrees at 21 knots with gusts of 25 knots.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MILLER STEVEN M
Registration: N812SM
Model/Series: RV6 A A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MNH, 7060 ft msl
Observation Time: 1329 MDT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 10000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 21 knots/ 25 knots, 290°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 12000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: LaJunta, CO (LHX)
Destination: Elbert, CO (CO15) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 39.224722, -104.640000 (est)

1 comment:

  1. Fuuny how a crashed RV-6 at Kelly Air Park, Colorado looks a lot like a crashed RV-7 in Itasca, Texas.

    ReplyDelete