No fatalities

Pilot Reports Hard Landing and Bounce Leading to Runway Excursion

Paola, KS, United States

On June 1, 2019, a Vans RV 6 Undesignat was involved in an aviation accident near Paola, KS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion during the aborted landing and subsequent impact with vegetation and a nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported slow airspeed during landing, resulting in a hard bounce. After adding full power and right rudder, the aircraft exited the runway, encountered tall grass and mud, then collided with a culvert and nosed over.

Incident Overview

During a landing attempt, the pilot reported that his airspeed was slow. As he began the flare, the aircraft dropped hard onto the runway and bounced. He immediately added full power and full right rudder in an effort to abort the landing, but the aircraft exited the left side of the runway.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft became airborne after leaving the runway, but the landing gear wheels encountered tall grass. The pilot stated that he could not gain enough speed to remain airborne. Subsequently, the aircraft descended into mud on the left side of the runway, then collided with a drainage culvert before nosing over.

Damage Assessment

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipment

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Jun 2019 Vans RV 6 Undesignat accident near Paola, KS?

A pilot reported slow airspeed during landing, resulting in a hard bounce. After adding full power and right rudder, the aircraft exited the runway, encountered tall grass and mud, then collided with a culvert and nosed over.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Jun 2019 Vans RV 6 Undesignat accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Jun 2019 involved a Vans RV 6 Undesignat, at Paola, KS.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion during the aborted landing and subsequent impact with vegetation and a nose-over.