Accident Details
On July 20, 2018, at approximately 1310 central daylight time, a Vans RV-6 airplane, registration N306FR, was substantially damaged during a landing accident near Coldwater, Kansas. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight and Landing Attempt
The pilot reported to responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that the flight had departed from Austin, Texas, and was landing at Comanche County Airport (3K8) in Coldwater, Kansas. The pilot joined a long, straight-in final approach for runway 17. He stated that he did not know the exact winds but knew they were gusty, so he increased his approach airspeed to between 90 and 93 knots with the airplane configured with partial flaps.
Go-Around and Engine Hesitation
During the landing attempt, the pilot attempted a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. He encountered turbulent air due to wind, and a gust caused the airplane to balloon about 8 to 12 feet above the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and added full power. At that moment, the engine hesitated and "stuttered." The pilot noted that the engine had shown no abnormalities prior to the go-around.
Accident Sequence
As the airplane settled, the right wing struck the ground. The airplane then spun and came to rest facing southwest. Flames began to enter the cockpit, and the pilot and passenger egressed the airplane. They were wearing shorts and flip-flops and received burns during the egress. The pilot was unable to turn off the master switch, so the electric fuel pump continued to move fuel, increasing the post-impact fire. The fire consumed most of the cockpit and fuselage.
Aftermath and Investigation
FAA inspectors visually inspected the airplane and found that the level of thermal damage sustained to the engine precluded a thorough examination. All airplane logbooks were consumed in the fire, and further information is not available. The nearest aviation weather station, located 37 nautical miles away, recorded wind around the accident time as 120° at 8 knots, later increasing to 9 knots gusting to 16 knots.