Amateur-built RV 6 N515CW accident near Paola, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion during the aborted landing and subsequent impact with vegetation and a nose-over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airspeed was slow during landing, and "when I began my flare…[the airplane] dropped onto the runway hard and bounced." He added full power and full right rudder to abort the landing, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane became airborne, but the landing gear wheels encountered tall grass and the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed to stay airborne. The airplane descended into the mud on the left side of the runway, collided with a drainage culvert, and nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.

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 GAA19CA041 for the full record.