Amateur-built RV-6A accident near Palouse, Washington, September 15, 2021
On September 15, 2021 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2011 amateur-built RV-6A, registered N3977G, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Palouse, Washington (Schoepflin airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent nose over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2021 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Palouse, Washington · Schoepflin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6A, built 2011
- Registration
- N3977G · registry record · serial 23877
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the first landing for the instrument proficiency check flight, a go-around was initiated. During the second landing attempt, at an airspeed of 70 knots, the airplane touched down and bounced. The airplane bounced multiple times as it continued down the runway and subsequently nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,212 hours in all; 72.9 in the last 90 days; 26.3 in the last 30 days; 5,052 as pilot in command; 3,188 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 28, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUW Pullman/Moscow WA at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04/2, 2,200 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KPUW
Weather report (METAR): KPUW 151753Z AUTO 26012G21KT 10SM BKN035 OVC045 18/09 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP138 T01830089 10194 20150 50004
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 25, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Conversation-pilot Owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array-courtesy of the First Responders | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.