# Accident 20031006026239A: Amtr RV8, Ben Wheeler, TX, October 6, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 6, 2003, 12:50 local time
- Place: Ben Wheeler, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.4786° N, 95.6386° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4786&lon=-95.6386&mi=10
- Aircraft: N27JW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27JW-2004-01-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Colliander Richard J VANS RV-8 (registry code 056100K, https://openairdocs.org/model/colliander-richard-j-vans-rv-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 SER A&C (registry code 41511, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR RV8
- Reported engine: CONT IO360*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 630 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA004) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031006026239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON OCTOBER 6, 2003 @ 1250 CDT, A VANS RV-8, N27JW, IMPACTED THE GROUND NEAR BEN WHEELER, TEXAS. THE AIRPLANE WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY ERNEST ROBERT WOODARD UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 AND VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER/WIFE ^PRIVACY DATA OMI^ RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE GILMER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (4F4) @ APPROXIMATELY 1240 CDT AND WAS PART OF A FOUR SHIP FORMATION DESTINED FOR GEORGETOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (GTU). SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE FORMATION ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF VISUAL CONTACT WITH OTHER FORMATION AIRCRAFT. OF THE THREE OTHER AIRCRAFT, ONE LANDED AT THE INTENDED DESTINATION (GTU) AND TWO DIVERTED INTO THE TERRELL MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KTRL).

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA004), Oct 6, 2003: Colliander RV-8 (N27JW), Van, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors were the low ceilings, rain, and fog.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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