Amateur-built RV6 N451JP accident near Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, his failure to conduct a go-around, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway departure and nose-over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and passenger were landing in gusting crosswind conditions following a local flight. The passenger stated that the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway, bounced several times, departed the right side of the runway, and subsequently nosed over; a witness on the ground also watched the airplane bounce, depart the runway surface, and nose over in the grass. Weather observations indicated a left crosswind component between 9 and 15 knots about the time of the accident.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the accident is consistent with the pilot's failure to attain a proper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in the bounced landing, during which he failed to conduct a go-around. Subsequently, he did not maintain directional control, which resulted in the runway departure and nose-over.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19LA006 for the full record.