Amateur-built RV-6A N805RV accident near Lancaster, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a stablized approach, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he made a verbal arrangement with a flight instructor to accompany him on the flight as an instructor and correct him as necessary. During the flight, while on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, the flight instructor repeatedly stated, “nose down”, however, the pilot believed the airplane’s altitude and airspeed were correct. Subsequently, the pilot realized that the airplane was too low, and he felt the main landing gear “hit” the runway as he increased engine power to abort the landing. The pilot then reduced engine power, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane came to rest upright on the right side of the runway. The right wing and aileron sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA028 for the full record.