Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Brookfield, Wisconsin, June 4, 2013
On June 4, 2013 at about 6:25 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N77GT, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Brookfield, Wisconsin (Capitol Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and his failure to recognize that the airplane had drifted away from the runway prior to landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2013 · about 6:25 pm local time
- Place
- Brookfield, Wisconsin · Capitol Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N77GT · no longer on the register · serial 20599-01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he approached the airport, intending to land on the grass runway. He said that his approach was high and he introduced a slip in order to lose altitude. During the slip, the airplane turned to the left, which he did not notice. He continued the landing and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane was landed in a marsh about 400 yards north of the east-west oriented runway.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 2,535 hours in all; 305 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 88C Palmyra WI
- Destination: 02C Brookfield WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 3,395 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 18,000 ft; scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 5:45 pm from UES, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.