Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8 N998RV

Summary

On 1 May 2011 at about 23:30 local time, a Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8 registered N998RV was involved in an accident near Livermore, California, 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

1 May 2011 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Livermore, California, United States

Nearest airport

Livermore (LVK)

Coordinates

37.6942, -121.8206

Aircraft

Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8

Registration

N998RV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Los Banos → Livermore

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA216

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's decision to exit the runway while still traveling at an excessive speed and his subsequent loss of directional control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he performed a straight-in approach and subsequent landing with a gusting crosswind. As the airplane slowed, and the tail dropped, he applied full aft elevator control input. The pilot applied brakes and then initiated a turn onto the taxiway. He stated that during the turn a gust of wind caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto the left wing and causing the left aileron hinge to scrape on the runway. The airplane then bounced two times on the left main landing gear. The airplane came to a stop after the pilot applied corrective control inputs. Postaccident examination revealed that the left landing gear mounting box and the adjacent fuselage structure was bent. Additionally the left wing sustained buckling damage to its leading edge, adjacent to the fuselage mounting point and landing gear box. The damage was consistent with the left main landing gear being subjected to an excessive side load. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented by either slowing the airplane down prior to exiting at the chosen taxiway or continuing to the next available taxiway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.