# Accident 20111011022802A: Freitag Ernst VANS RV-8, Madera, CA, October 11, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 11, 2011, 11:00 local time
- Place: Madera, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Collision: Midair collision
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.9900° N, 119.9600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9900&lon=-119.9600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N427EF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N427EF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Freitag Ernst VANS RV-8 (registry code 05614KL, https://openairdocs.org/model/freitag-ernst-vans-rv-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FREITAG ERNST VANS RV-8
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,000 total, 110 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA005) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111011022802A

## Narrative

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

WHILE PRACTICING FLYING IN FORMATION, A BRIEFED PITCH UP AND BANK MANEUVER RESULTED IN THE COLLISION OF N427EF AND N506DC.  N427EF (PILOTED BY ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^) WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND BENEATH BY N506DC (PILOTED BY ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, SEE RELATED REPORT) AFTER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ LOST SIGHT OF N427EF.  N427EF SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING AND PROPELLER, BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAKE A SAFE LANDING AT HOME BASE (SIERRA SKY PARK, E79) WITH NO INJURIES.  THE LEFT WING AND AILERON OF N506DC WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO THE CANOPY AND FUSELAGE.  AFTER IMPACT N506DC ENTERED A STEEP SPIRAL DIVE AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EILERON INPUT.  THE PILOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND INCREASED PITCH WHICH SLOWED THE SPIRAL TO A CONTINUOUS RIGHT TURN.  HE WAS ABLE TO LAND THE PLANE, WITH ELEVATOR AND RUDDER ONLY, IN A FIELD WITH NO INJURY.  THE PILOT OF N506DC STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN EVASIVE ACTION WHEN HE LOST SIGHT OF N427EF RATHER THAN CONTINUE LOOKING.  THE FAT FSDO SAFETY TEAM REP. PLANS ON CONDUCTING A SAFETY SEMINAR WITH THE FORMATION FLYING AVIATORS BASED AT E79.

## Other aircraft in the event

- N506DC, Combs Dale B RV-4: [Accident 20111011022792A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111011022792A)

## 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 WPR12CA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA005), Oct 11, 2011: Freitag Ernst Vans RV-8 (N427EF), Madera, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The third airplane pilot’s failure to maintain visual contact with the second airplane during the formation flight.

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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