ERA12LA456

Factual narrative

On July 16, 2012, about 0908 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6, N691RV, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing at Ridgeland Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina. The certificated private pilot/owner and certificated flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight that was conducted under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to prepare the owner for competency in tail wheel flying. He further stated that, the owner's performance in tailwheel operation had been "minimal" and that pilot/owner was unable to recognize the airplane drifting. After the airplane touched down, the airplane began to drift to the right, the owner did not correct the drift, and the CFI commanded a go-around. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident the owner informed the CFI that "he had his feet on the brakes upon landing." According to the pilot/owner the flight had departed from Allendale County Airport (88J), Allendale, South Carolina about 0835 and flew to 3J1 to perform touch and go practice takeoff and landings. The pilot/owner reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an eyewitness reported that the airplane had performed two touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings, and was performing a third landing when the accident occurred. During the landing the airplane bounced, veered off the runway, and nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane came to rest at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway. Initial examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that flight control cable continuity was confirmed from the rudder pedals to the rudder. Control continuity was confirmed to all other flight control surfaces from their respectful cockpit controls. The left wing tip and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. According to photographs provided by the Ridgeland Fire Department, rubber tire marks were observed beginning approximately the point of touchdown, veering to the right of the runway, and stopped at the point where the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 35 feet past the tire marks at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction reported that, upon touchdown on the runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane drifted to the right. The flight instructor commanded a go-around; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot told the flight instructor that he had his feet on the brakes during the landing. Postaccident examination revealed that tire marks, consistent with heavy braking, began on the runway around the point of touchdown and continued to the point where the airplane exited the side of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - F