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WPR10CA404

2010-08-14 · Grass Valley, California, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport GOO

Current FAA registration · N677DS

Make / Model
VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-6A
Year of manufacture
1997 · 13 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-360-A2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20070523
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A8F615

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point that resulted in an overrun of the runway and nose over.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the weather was calm and he made an approach to runway 25. The airplane touched down approximately 2,500 feet down the runway. He applied "heavy braking," which did not stop the airplane. The pilot attempted to turn off the runway; however, he was not able to make the turn and the airplane went over an embankment and nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. A deputy from the Nevada County Sheriff's office interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that the resulting crash was a combination of too much airspeed and not enough runway to stop the airplane. The airport/facility directory for the airport indicated that the runway is 4,350 feet long. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down approximately 2,500 feet down the runway in calm wind conditions. He applied heavy braking, but the airplane did not stop quickly enough. The pilot attempted to turn off the runway; however, he was not able to make the turn and the airplane went over an embankment and nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot stated that the crash resulted from a combination of too much airspeed and not enough runway to stop the airplane. The airport/facility directory for the airport indicates that the runway is 4,350 feet long. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_WPR10CA404.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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