Powell Vans RV-6A
French Lick, IN — April 7, 2008
Event Information
| Date | April 7, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CHI08CA099 |
| Event ID | 20080417X00502 |
| Location | French Lick, IN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.50611, -86.63667 |
| Airport | French Lick |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Powell |
| Model | Vans RV-6A |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind condition and maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the crosswind.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was landing the amateur-built, experimental airplane on runway 26 with the local winds reported as 260 degrees at 4 knots. He reported that as the airplane was touching down, the left wing came up and the right wing and nose wheel touched down on the runway at the same time. The right wingtip sustained substantial damage and the nose gear folded under the fuselage. The pilot reported there was a "valley on either side of the runway" which "funneled a crosswind" of greater velocity than the winds of the surrounding area.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.