NTSB Factual Report

On February 12, 2005, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Dickson RV-7A experimental airplane, N429WD, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Wakulla County Airport, Panacea, Florida. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated March 10, the pilot reported that during a series of high-speed taxi tests the airplane became airborne, and he elected to continue around the pattern and land. He wrote that during the approach to land the airplane was "at a high rate of descent," and bounced on the main gear. He wrote the airplane then landed on the nose gear, which collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. He reported that the airplane received damage to the left wingtip, canopy, and rudder.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, the collapse of the nose gear, and subsequent nose over.