NTSB Factual Report

On November 18, 2006, at 1645 eastern standard time, an experimental RV-6A airplane, N525RV, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collapsed a nose wheel on landing roll out at a private airstrip in the vicinity of Midway, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Hodges Airpark, Savannah, Georgia, on November 18, 2006, at 1530.

The private pilot stated he made a VFR approach and landing to a private airstrip, and the grass runway was described as rough. The pilot flared the airplane between 60 to 75 mph and the airplane touched down on its main landing gear. The pilot lowered the nose wheel onto the ground, the airplane hit a bump and bounced back into the air. The airplane touched back down on the runway and the nose wheel continued to bounce on the rough ground. The pilot applied brakes and the nose wheel collapsed as it collided with a rut. The airplane went up on its nose and came to rest inverted on the runway. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the flight controls or engine assembly before the accident.

Examination of the nose wheel revealed no evidence of a preexisting crack or failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

An on ground encounter with rough/uneven terrain during the landing roll out resulting in the collapse of the nosewheel and subsequent nose over.