Amateur-built S-6S N164GR accident near Marvel, Arkansas

Probable cause

A partial blockage of the pitot static system that precluded the airspeed indicator from displaying the correct airspeed which led to the faster landing speed and bounced landing.

NTSB analysis

The airplane departed the pilot’s private grass strip airport. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the airspeed was indicating lower than normal. Presuming that the pitot tube was partially obstructed, the pilot decided to land the airplane. Due to the inaccurate airspeed, the pilot flew a faster than normal approach. Upon landing, the airplane bounced, and the nose gear strut broke. The propeller struck the ground, the airplane nosed over, and it came to rest inverted on the grass runway. The right wing and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. Other than a possibly obstructed pitot tube, the pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pitot-static system was unable to be functionally tested due to the pitot-static system being damaged in the accident sequence. A post-accident examination of the pitot-tube and the pitot-static tubing did not reveal any blockage or obstruction; however, it is possible it was dislodged during the impact sequence.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA232 for the full record.