What happened
On the evening of 10 June 2011, a Van’s Aircraft Inc. RV-6, registration EI-EOC, was performing local circuit training at Limetree Airfield in Co Laois, Ireland. After a brief pause in operations to allow a heavy rain shower to pass, the pilot resumed his flight pattern. During the final approach to runway 19, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude.
As the aircraft descended, the wheels made contact with a corn crop located just before the runway threshold. The pilot attempted to apply power to recover, but the aircraft's momentum carried it into the field. The main landing gear then struck a small clay ridge at the edge of the cultivated area, causing the aircraft to stop abruptly and invert. The pilot was able to shut off the fuel and electrical systems and exit the cockpit through a broken canopy without serious harm.
The investigation
The AAIU examination of the site revealed that the aircraft came to rest upside down approximately 9 metres from the runway threshold. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including a crushed canopy, damaged engine mounts, and bent propeller tips.
Investigators tracked the aircraft's path through the corn, noting that the wheels had traveled 26 metres through the crop before hitting the ridge. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft was properly maintained and that all necessary flight documentation and licenses were valid. The pilot reported experiencing minor injuries, specifically bruises and scratches.
Findings
- The final approach was conducted at a low altitude.
- The aircraft encountered a sudden sink rate during the final stages of the approach.
- The aircraft made unintended contact with corn crops short of the runway.
- The main landing gear striking a low clay ridge caused the sudden deceleration and subsequent inversion of the aircraft.