What happened
On 3 September 2023, a Vans RV-6A, registration G-RVSH, was performing a private flight from White Waltham Airfield to Truro Airfield in Cornwall. During the approach to Runway 14, the aircraft was flying at a higher speed than expected, with an estimated groundspeed of approximately 53 kt. The aircraft touched down approximately 20 m to the right of the runway edge.
Upon touchdown, the nose wheel made contact with the ground, causing the nose landing gear strut to deform and dig into the earth. This triggered a sequence where the aircraft rolled forward over its nose and came to rest inverted. The pilot sustained a fatal neck injury due to the deformation of the canopy frame and the resulting reduction in survivable space.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined flight data from onboard digital avionic devices, which confirmed the aircraft's flight path and airspeed. The data indicated an unstable approach with a steeper flight path angle than the standard 4°, likely influenced by the downhill slope of Runway 14 and a light tailwind component.
Investigators also analyzed the aircraft's landing gear and the impact of the nose-over. While the aircraft was fitted with an after-market nose strut brace designed to prevent excessive bending, the force of the impact was sufficient to deform the strut beyond the brace's capability. The investigation also reviewed the airfield environment, noting the presence of hay bales near the runway and a training mound that the aircraft's right wheel contacted during the event.
Findings
- The aircraft landed deep and offset to the right of the runway centerline.
- The landing involved all three wheels contacting the ground simultaneously, which contradicts manufacturer guidance to hold the nose wheel off as long as possible.
- The nose landing gear digging into the ground was the primary cause of the aircraft flipping.
- The downhill slope of the runway and a light tailwind likely contributed to an unstable approach and a landing that was deeper than intended.
- The deformation of the canopy's steel hoop during the inversion contributed to the fatal outcome.