N4163B

Substantial
Minor

HARROP BLAKE RV 7S/N: 884163

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, January 14, 2018
NTSB Number
GAA18CA103
Location
Death Valley National Park, CA
Event ID
20180113X04652
Coordinates
36.463333, -116.880836
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
HARROP BLAKE
Serial Number
884163
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2006
Model / ICAO
RV 7LK17
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
RV-7A

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
HARROP BLAKE N
Address
632 N 200 W
City
WILLARD
State / Zip Code
UT 84340-6732
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, about 2 to 3 ft. above the ground, he reduced power and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The airplane landed hard, bounced, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the canopy and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA18CA103