Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Loss of Control in Flight: Vans RV-6, N306FR; accident occurred July 20, 2018 at Comanche County Airport (3K8), Coldwater, Kansas

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

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/N306FR


Location: Coldwater, KS
Accident Number: CEN18LA286
Date & Time: 07/20/2018, 1315 CDT
Registration:N306FR 
Aircraft:Vans RV6 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 20, 2018, about 1310 central daylight time, a Vans RV-6 airplane, N306FR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Coldwater, Kansas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight

The pilot reported to responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the flight was landing at Comanche County Airport (3K8), Coldwater, Kansas after departing from Austin, Texas. The pilot joined a long, straight in final for runway 17. The pilot added that he did not know the exact winds, but knew that they were gusty, and as such increased his approach airspeed. He flew between 90-93 knots, with the airplane configured with partial flaps. As he attempted a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, there were some turbulent air due to wind, then a gust of wind hit the airplane and it ballooned about 8-12 ft above the runway. The pilot said he initiated a go-around and added full power when the engine hesitated and "stuttered". The pilot stated the engine did not have any abnormalities prior to the go-around.

The airplane settled and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane spun, coming to rest facing southwest. Flames began to enter the cockpit and the pilot and passenger egressed the airplane. They were wearing shorts and flip-flops and received burns during the egress. The pilot was not able to turn off the master switch, so the electric fuel pump continued to move fuel increasing the postimpact fire. The fire consumed most of the cockpit and fuselage.

The FAA inspectors visually inspected the airplane and found that level of thermal damage sustained to the engine precluded a thorough examination. All airplane logbooks were consumed in the fire, and further information is not available.

The nearest aviation weather station was 37 nautical miles away. About the time of the accident, the wind was recorded as 120° at 8 knots, but later increased at the station to 9 knots gusting to 16 knots.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N306FR
Model/Series: RV6 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 24480
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A1A
Registered Owner: Southern Star Aviation LLC
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: KP28, 1535 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 37 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1256 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 84°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 120°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Austin, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Coldwater, KS (3K8)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: COMANCHE COUNTY (3K8)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 2086 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 17
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4500 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious

Latitude, Longitude: 37.222778, -99.331944 (est)

Location: Coldwater, KS
Accident Number: CEN18LA286
Date & Time: 07/20/2018, 1311 CDT
Registration: N306FR
Aircraft: Vans RV6
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On July 20, 2018, about 1310 central daylight time, a Vans RV-6 airplane, N306FR, collided with terrain near Coldwater, Kansas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Southern Star Aviation LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated at an unknown origin and was landing at Comanche County Airport (3K8), Coldwater, Kansas.

According to preliminary information obtained by investigators from the pilot, while attempting to land on runway 17 in gusty wind conditions, the airplane bounced and the pilot performed a go-around. During the go-around, the right wing dropped and contacted the ground. The airplane spun and came to rest upright. A postimpact fire ensued, seriously injuring the occupants as they egressed the airplane. The fire continued and consumed a majority of the wreckage. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N306FR
Model/Series: RV6 Undesignated
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: KDDC, 2592 ft msl
Observation Time: 1352 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 45 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 38°C / 19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / 21 knots, 190°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.89 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point:
Destination: Coldwater, KS (3K8)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  37.222778, -99.331944 (est)

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