Hutchins RV4 N724CF

Summary

On 28 April 2000 at about 17:00 local time, a Hutchins RV4 registered N724CF, operated by Marilyn J. Hutchins, was involved in an accident near Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 April 2000 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Los Alamos (LAM)

Coordinates

35.8905, -106.2804

Aircraft

Hutchins RV4

Registration

N724CF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Marilyn J. Hutchins

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pagosa Springs → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN00LA081

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft after initiating a go-around following a hard bounced landing. Factors were variable shifting winds and a high-density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During approach for landing at the completion of a cross-country flight, the pilot noted the UNICOM reported the wind was calm but the windsock stuck straight out. During the landing attempt, the aircraft bounced and as it departed the side of the runway into dirt the pilot attempted to abort the landing. After a climb was initiated, a steep bank was made to avoid striking the airport perimeter fence. The aircraft then settled, in a wings level attitude, onto the ground causing the main landing gear to collapse and substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported the wind as variable at 10 knots with no gusts. Density altitude at the time was approximately 9,600 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.