Amateur-built RV-6 N69NB accident near New Richmond, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and altitude during the approach which resulted in a runway overshoot and subsequent landing in a lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed remedial action to abort the landing.

NTSB analysis

During the approach to the turf runway, the pilot noticed the airplane was “high and a little fast” but she thought she could correct the altitude and the airspeed. The airplane “floated down” the runway and she realized the airplane would not be able to land in the remaining runway available, so she raised the flaps. The airplane flew over the remaining runway available, landed in a lake near the departure end of the runway, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by advancing the throttle before raising the flaps and aborting the landing before flaring when she realized the airplane was too fast on the approach.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA257 for the full record.