The ATSB is urging Van’s Aircraft owners to consider retrofitting a stronger nose gear and engine mount system on RV6A, RV7A and RV9A models, after a number of notable noseover accidents.

In January a Van’s RV9A encountered a tailwind during landing on a private grass airstrip on French Island, Victoria, resulting in a hard landing. The aircraft bounced, and its nose gear then collapsed. The aircraft subsequently nosed over, and came to a rest inverted, resulting in serious injuries to both occupants, and substantial damage to the aircraft.

The accident was similar to a few others, including one investigated by the ATSB in 2017. In that accident, the nose gear of a Van’s RV6A collapsed after the aircraft bounced during a heavy landing on a dirt airstrip in north Queensland.

In light of these accidents, the ATSB is urging owners and operators of Van’s RV6A, RV7A and RV9A aircraft to consider Van’s Aircraft Service Letter 190430.

The service letter details options and instructs a method for retrofitting older aircraft with a new style of engine mount/nose gear system, designed similarly to the engine mount and nose gear found on the newer RV10A and RV14A models.

“While touching down on the nose landing gear should be avoided, the newer nose gear design has been developed with stronger shock absorption, which should reduce the likelihood of noseover accidents,” ATSB Manager, Transport Safety Derek Hoffmeister said.

“If you haven’t already, I would urge you to consider retrofitting the new nose gear and engine mount to your RV6A, RV7A, and RV9A aircraft.”

Read the Van’s Aircraft Service Letter: http://www.vansaircraft.com/servicei...