Abnormal Runway Contact: Van's RV-6A, N56LK; accident occurred August 04, 2018 at Greeley-Weld County Airport (KGXY), Colorado

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N56LK

Location: Greeley, CO
Accident Number: GAA18CA473
Date & Time: 08/04/2018, 1130 MDT
Registration: N56LK
Aircraft: Vans RV6
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during approach, the airplane encountered the usual amount of sink, so he added power but applied too much back stick. The airplane aerodynamically stalled, landed hard, and then came to rest 1,500 ft down the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. 

Findings

Aircraft
Angle of attack - Capability exceeded (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Aerodynamic stall/spin
Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 85, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/30/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 6866.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25.7 hours (Total, this make and model), 6393.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N56LK
Model/Series: RV6 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 123
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1300 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
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: KGXY, 4697 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1756 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 49°
Lowest Cloud Condition:  Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Denver, CO (FTG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Greeley, CO (GXY)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1050 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: GREELEY-WELD COUNTY (GXY)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4696 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 10
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5801 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 40.429722, -104.641389 (est)