Probable cause
A hard landing, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of directional control and the airplane’s subsequent nose-over.
NTSB analysis
While landing on a grass airstrip, the airplane ran off the right side of the airstrip, nosed over, and then came to rest inverted. There were no witnesses to the accident. Ground scars on the airstrip were consistent with a hard landing. An examination of the airframe, landing gear, brakes, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Acquaintances of the pilot reported that he had complained of depth perception problems and had been landing the airplane hard. The pilot was denied a medical certificate due to health concerns noted by the air medical examiner. Investigators were not able to determine the pilot's recent flight experience. It is likely that the pilot landed the airplane hard and was unable to maintain directional control.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15FA163 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 7, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pratt, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (PVT)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV 6
- N-number
- N4074V
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1995
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.