Summary
On November 13, 2015, a Sweeney Timothy J RANS S6-ES (N688KA) was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, FL. 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 nose gear collapse and nose over.
The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA053. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N688KA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and nose over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during an intentional landing on the grass parallel to an asphalt runway, he touched down fast and bounced "slightly." He then became distracted when another pilot reported over the radio that a coyote was crossing the runway. Subsequently, he "let the nose wheel down too early and too quickly." The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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# GAA16CA053