Probable cause
The pilot’s inadvertent application of nose down pitch trim during the attempted aborted landing, which resulted in abnormal contact with the runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident. During the landing at the destination airport, the airplane bounced, and the pilot intended to abort the landing; however, he accidentally advanced the elevator trim lever, rather than the throttle lever (which were similarly positioned and shaped). The airplane subsequently touched down a second time nose-low, resulting in damage to the main landing gear and propeller. Several fuselage tubes were also substantially damaged during the landing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA039 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 7, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- London, Kentucky
- Nearest airport
- London/Corbin/Magee (LOZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
Amateur-built VANS RV-4
- N-number
- N2606A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2006
- 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.