On 14 Jan 2018, a HARROP BLAKE RV 7 A was involved in an aviation accident near Death Valley National Park, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During landing flare, the pilot reduced power causing an aerodynamic stall at 2-3 ft; the airplane landed hard, bounced, nose gear collapsed, and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage to canopy and empennage.
Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that, during the landing flare at an altitude of approximately 2 to 3 feet above the ground, he reduced engine power. The airplane then experienced an aerodynamic stall. The airplane contacted the ground with a hard impact, bounced, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane subsequently came to rest in an inverted position.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's canopy and empennage.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Capability exceededPilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintained