What happened
On July 6, 2008, a privately operated Van’s RV-3B, registration C-GJIF, was performing a pleasure flight from Lake Simcoe Regional Airport in Ontario to the Tobermory area. After completing the outbound and return legs of the trip, the aircraft joined a left-hand circuit for landing on Runway 2-8.
During the landing sequence, the aircraft touched down approximately 1000 feet down the runway. The touchdown resulted in a bounce that reached an estimated height of 15 feet. The aircraft then touched down a second time in a more nose-up attitude, followed by a potential third bounce. During the final bounce, the aircraft entered a low-energy state with a steep nose-up attitude. Although engine power was increased, the nose dropped sharply, and the aircraft descended rapidly, striking the ground about 2000 feet from the runway threshold. The impact occurred on the grass, roughly 20 feet left of the runway edge. A fire broke out immediately following the collision, resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the flight history of the aircraft. The aircraft's transponder had been removed for maintenance, meaning no secondary radar returns were available for the portion of the flight below radar coverage. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were clear with good visibility and were not considered a factor.
Examination of the Van’s RV-3B showed that the main landing gear failed aft upon impact. This failure caused the right main gear to penetrate the fuel tank located in the right wing's leading edge. The leaking fuel ignited, likely due to contact with the hot engine exhaust stack. While the control cables and mechanical systems appeared intact, the aircraft's trim was found in a slightly nose-down position. The investigation focused on the pilot's landing technique and the sequence of bounces.
Findings
- The aircraft approached the runway at a higher-than-normal speed, which caused the initial bounce upon touchdown.
- The pilot attempted to continue the landing without sufficient correction, leading to a pilot-induced oscillation and subsequent bounces.
- The aircraft's rate of descent during the final impact exceeded the design limits of the landing gear.
- The pilot was incapacitated by the force of the impact, which prevented an escape from the cockpit before smoke inhalation occurred during the post-impact fire.