Amateur-built RV-3 N3S accident near Jacksonville, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare during landing which resulted in an attempted go-around, loss of control, and aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was landing after completing his first leg of a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that he flared the airplane too early and it bounced twice on the runway. The pilot then elected to perform a go-around; however, he forgot to retract the flaps. The pilot applied full engine power, the airplane turned to the left, and stalled over the grass terrain adjacent to the runway. The airplane impacted terrain, came to rest upright, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing, The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA332 for the full record.