SLOAN ROGER D VANS RV7A
Sheridan, WY — July 29, 2011
Event Information
| Date | July 29, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR11CA353 |
| Event ID | 20110729X65821 |
| Location | Sheridan, WY |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 44.79139, -106.95361 |
| Airport | Sheridan |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | SLOAN ROGER D |
| Model | VANS RV7A |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAWN |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff due to cockpit distractions.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that when the airplane lifted off he became distracted by his headsets noise canceling control and suddenly the nose wheel of the airplane hit the ground hard. The pilot immediately pulled back on the controls and took the airplane up to assess the damage. After 15 minutes of flight the emergency crew on the ground assessed that the nose gear was bent and the pilot prepared for an emergency landing. The pilot opted to land on the grass and as he set the airplane down on the surface the front gear leg gave away and the airplane tilted up on its propeller before falling back down onto its main gear and substantially damaging the rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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.