N8117Q

On April 19, 2006, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Marland E. Davis RV-6A, N8117Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, flipped over during landing at the Suwannee Belle Airport, Live Oak, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Suwannee County Airport, Live Oak, Florida, earlier that day, about 1250.

The pilot stated that he attempted a normal landing on runway 2 with winds out of the west. With the winds gusting over trees, he noticed the airplane drifting at the flare. The winds were pushing the airplane off the east side of the runway. He instinctively corrected with rudder and aileron, but did not add power. The airplane landed in a crab position, bending the nose strut, allowing the propeller to dig into the ground. The airplane slid approximately 30 feet until the airplane flipped and came to a stop. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.