Summary
On April 17, 2013, a Poole Robert C Jr Van's (N439RP) was involved in an accident near Salisbury, NC. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent decision to exit the paved runway onto the soft terrain.
According to the pilot, the airplane had about 9 total flight hours. He performed a touch-and-go landing and during departure the flaps would not retract. During the first attempt to land, the airplane was not in a position to land and a go-around was conducted. On the second attempt to land he began a straight-in approach about 3 miles from the runway since the flaps would not retract. On touchdown, the airplane's nose impacted the runway and the nose gear collapsed. As the airplane slowed, the pilot elected to exit the side of the paved surface into the grass, in order to avoid closing the runway. Subsequently, the nose gear dug into the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA206. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N439RP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent decision to exit the paved runway onto the soft terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, the airplane had about 9 total flight hours. He performed a touch-and-go landing and during departure the flaps would not retract. During the first attempt to land, the airplane was not in a position to land and a go-around was conducted. On the second attempt to land he began a straight-in approach about 3 miles from the runway since the flaps would not retract. On touchdown, the airplane's nose impacted the runway and the nose gear collapsed. As the airplane slowed, the pilot elected to exit the side of the paved surface into the grass, in order to avoid closing the runway. Subsequently, the nose gear dug into the soft terrain, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the flap system revealed a blown fuse, no other preimpact malfunction or abnormality was found that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA206