Accident Overview
On July 16, 2012, at approximately 0908 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6, registration N691RV, was substantially damaged during a landing accident at Ridgeland Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina. The certificated private pilot/owner and a certificated flight instructor (CFI) sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was to prepare the owner for competency in tailwheel flying. The CFI stated that the owner's performance in tailwheel operation had been "minimal" and that the pilot/owner was unable to recognize the airplane drifting. After touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the right, the owner did not correct the drift, and the CFI commanded a go-around. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident, the owner informed the CFI that "he had his feet on the brakes upon landing."
According to the pilot/owner, the flight departed from Allendale County Airport (88J), Allendale, South Carolina, about 0835 and flew to 3J1 to perform touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings. The pilot/owner reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Witness Observations
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an eyewitness reported that the airplane had performed two touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings and was performing a third landing when the accident occurred. During the landing, the airplane bounced, veered off the runway, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway.
Wreckage Examination
Initial examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that flight control cable continuity was confirmed from the rudder pedals to the rudder. Control continuity was confirmed to all other flight control surfaces from their respective cockpit controls. The left wing tip and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged.
According to photographs provided by the Ridgeland Fire Department, rubber tire marks were observed beginning approximately at the point of touchdown, veering to the right of the runway, and stopping at the point where the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted approximately 35 feet past the tire marks at the intersection of a taxiway and the runway.