Event SEA97LA213

Factual narrative

On September 21, 1997, approximately 1315 hours Pacific daylight time, a Barrigar homebuilt RV-6, N812AB, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on touchdown and subsequent nose over during the landing roll at the Goldendale airport, Goldendale, Washington. The pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Prineville, Oregon, approximately 1234 hours. The pilot reported that he touched down approximately 500 feet beyond the east end of the 3,490 foot long runway 25 and that his "flare was early and the plane bounced several time, 6 to 8." He reported that "When it (the aircraft) finally quit bouncing I was heading for the left side of the runway. I applied full right rudder but the plane's left wheel left the hard surface and ran into loose gravel along the edge of the runway." As the aircraft continued to pull to the left the pilot "applied full power and attempted to regain directional control and abort the landing." The aircraft then departed the left side of the runway, rolled down an embankment and nosed over in the soft terrain alongside the runway (refer to photograph 1). The pilot reported that the airport windsock was "hanging limp" at the time of the landing and there was no mechanical malfunction with his aircraft. He also reported in the "Recommendation" section of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted (How could this accident have been prevented): "Add power after (the) first bounce and abort the landing." The pilot flared early and touched down approximately 500 feet beyond the east end of the 3,490-foot-long paved runway. During the touchdown the aircraft bounced 6-8 times, and then veered off the left side of the runway. Once the aircraft's left main wheel entered the graveled area alongside the runway, the pilot applied full power and attempted a go-around. The aircraft continued to diverge from the runway edge, rolled down an embankment alongside the runway and, upon rolling through soft terrain, nosed over. The pilot reported that he should have added power after the first bounce and aborted the landing at that time. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12