Accident Overview
On September 23, 2019, about 1157 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-6, registration N12033, was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot received serious injuries, while the passenger was uninjured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Details
The pilot, who held a flight instructor certificate, had been contacted by the airplane owner for tailwheel instruction. The owner did not possess a pilot certificate. The pilot agreed to fly the airplane with the owner as a passenger. After a preflight inspection that revealed no anomalies, the pilot departed on a local flight and later returned to the airport. During the approach, the pilot executed one go-around due to a crosswind.
Pilot's Account
On the subsequent landing approach, the pilot reported that the airplane banked to the left and pitched down about 8 or 10 degrees. He attempted to regain control but found the controls were "very stiff." The pilot recalled heading toward the trees and tried again to move the controls; the airplane pitched up slightly but not enough to slow the descent. The airplane then impacted trees and the ground.
The pilot stated that he believed the passenger applied control inputs to maneuver the airplane during landing, which resulted in his inability to maintain control. He emphasized that the airplane "definitely did not stall" and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane owner did not provide a statement regarding the accident.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit controls to the elevator and ailerons.