Van's RV 6 N12033

Summary

On 23 September 2019 at about 15:57 local time, a Van's RV 6 registered N12033 was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 September 2019 at 15:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Lakeland, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

South Lakeland Airport (X49)

Coordinates

27.9314, -82.0433

Aircraft

Van's RV 6

Registration

N12033

Category

Airplane

Year built

1995

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Zephyrhills → Lakeland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19TA277

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s inability to maintain control due to passenger interference.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who was also a flight instructor, stated that the airplane owner contacted him for tailwheel instruction in his recently purchased airplane. The owner did not hold a pilot certificate, but the pilot agreed to fly the airplane with the owner as a passenger. The pilot stated that, during landing approach, “the airplane banked to the left and pitch[ed] down about 8 or 10 degrees.” The pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, but the controls were “very stiff.” He recalled heading toward the trees and tried again to move the controls; this time, the airplane pitched up slightly, but not enough to slow the descent. The airplane impacted trees and the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that he thought the passenger applied control inputs during landing, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane. He stated that the airplane “definitely did not stall.” He also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The owner of the airplane did not provide a statement regarding the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.