This August 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Vans RV-6A. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Grass Valley, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land at an airport with a 4,350-foot runway. The plane touched down approximately 2,500 feet down the runway. The pilot applied the brakes heavily, and attempted to turn off the runway to avoid an embankment, but was going too fast to make the turn. The plane went over the embankment and nosed over. The pilot stated the crash resulted from a combination of too much airspeed and not enough runway to stop the airplane.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in an overrun of the runway and nose over.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: WPR10CA404
