Probable cause
The pilot's improper soft-field landing technique, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse and a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while landing on a grass airstrip, the nose landing gear "caught" on the soft turf and collapsed. The airplane slid about 60 feet, the forward portion of the fuselage impacted terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, rudder, vertical stabilizer, and firewall.
The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported to keep the nose landing gear off the ground longer during the landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA154 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Allison, Iowa
- Nearest airport
- Allison Muni (K98)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV 9
- N-number
- N347N
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- 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.