Likely That The Pilot Landed The Airplane With Excessive Speed And Lost Directional Control

Location: Mankato, Minnesota Accident Number: CEN22LA191
Date & Time: May 3, 2022, 19:48 Local Registration: N5060
Aircraft: Vans RV6A Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported that while landing the airplane slowed and, as the nosewheel touched down, the airplane abruptly lurched to the side. The airplane exited the runway surface, struck a berm, became airborne, and came to rest nose down near the airport perimeter fence. The firewall, left wing, and rudder sustained substantial damage.

A postaccident examination of the flight controls and landing gear revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations; the damage was consistent with impact and overload from the accident sequence. Based upon the ground scars and condition of the nose landing gear it is likely that the pilot landed the airplane with excessive speed and lost directional control.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a higher airspeed. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov