Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR11CA022

Colville, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N471B

Rotherwick Glasair III

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane in calm wind conditions. The airplane touched down midway down the runway at stall speed. Upon touchdown, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied brake pressure, including full aft elevator, in an attempt to bring the airplane to a stop. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot applied left brake in an effort to turn the airplane to the left and the airplane nosed over off the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he checked the brakes prior to flight, but felt that they did not function normally during the landing. A witness reported that when the airplane was landing, it floated in ground effect until about 100 feet beyond midfield. The landing gear contacted the runway and the airplane continued to decelerate until disappearing over the end of the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that responded to the accident, skid marks led from the runway to the location where the airplane came to rest. The FAA inspector examined the braking system following the accident and found no mechanical anomalies. At the time of this writing, the pilot had not submitted NTSB Form 6120.1, the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

Factual Information

The pilot reported in a written statement that he was landing the airplane to the south on a 2,695-foot long runway, with winds from the south at 1-2 knots. The airplane touched down midfield at stall speed. Upon touchdown, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied moderate brake pressure, including full aft elevator to bring the airplane to a stop. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot applied maximum brake pressure. Near the end of the runway the pilot applied left brake to turn the airplane to the left, and the airplane nosed over off the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he checked the brakes prior to flight, but felt that they did not function normally during the landing. A witness reported that when the airplane was landing, it floated in ground effect until about 100 feet beyond midfield. The landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane continued to decelerate until disappearing over the end of the runway. According to the FAA inspector, skid marks led from the runway to the location where the airplane came to rest. The FAA inspector examined the braking system following the accident and found no mechanical anomalies. At the time of this report, the pilot had not submitted NTSB Form 6120.1, the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's misjudged approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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