Van's VANS RV-8 N798RT

Summary

On 13 September 2021 at about 00:05 local time, a Van's VANS RV-8 registered N798RT was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 2 people were 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

13 September 2021 at 00:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Atlanta Regional Airport-Falco (FFC)

Coordinates

33.3577, -84.5725

Aircraft

Van's VANS RV-8

Registration

N798RT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Foley → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ERA21LA365

Nobody was injured.

A loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion resulting as a result of the inadvertent rudder input by the passenger.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during landing rollout, the airplane began to veer to the left and he attempted to counter with a right rudder input. He stated that the rudder pedals seemed jammed, and the airplane continued to veer to the left side of the runway. He quickly applied right brake, but it was not enough, and the airplane departed the runway and entered a marshy area, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that his passenger was experienced a leg cramp and was depressed the left rudder pedal during the landing roll. A statement received from the passenger confirmed the leg cramp.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.