Summary
On April 07, 2008, a Powell Vans RV-6A (N551MP) was involved in an incident near French Lick, IN. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind condition and maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the crosswind.
The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI08CA099. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N551MP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind condition and maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA099