# Accident 20260707007349A: Noel Simmons RV-8, Monte Vista, CO, July 7, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 7, 2026, 16:00 local time
- Place: Monte Vista, CO
- Airport: Monte Vista Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.5300° N, 106.0500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5300&lon=-106.0500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N425GB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N425GB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Noel Simmons RV-8 (registry code 056373X, https://openairdocs.org/model/noel-simmons-rv-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Cubcrafter CC340 (registry code 18050, https://openairdocs.org/engine/cubcrafter-cc340) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NOEL SIMMONS RV-8
- Reported engine: CUBCRAFTER CC340
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 679 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA259) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260707007349A

## Narrative

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

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL ON RUNWAY 20 AFTER THE TAILWHEEL LEFT THE GROUND A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE TAIL SIDEWAYS RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY. AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF RUNWAY THRU WEEDS AND DIRT. DURING THE FINAL STAGES OF COMING TO A STOP AIRPLANE WENT THRU A DITCH COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FORCING THE LEFT WING INTO THE GROUND. AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP ON IT'S NOSE/ RIGHT MAIN GEAR/ LEFT WING. WHEEL PANTS WERE TORN OFF AS THE PLANE TRAVELED THRU THE DIRT AND WEEDS. AIRPORT MANAGER WAS CALLED AND VERIFIED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE RUNWAY, LIGHTS, OR MARKERS. AIRPLANE WAS FAR ENOUGH FROM THE RUNWAY (APROX 100 FEET) THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED SAFE AND NOT A HAZARD TO TRAFFIC. TIME WAS 15:45 INTENDED DESTINATION WAS 66TE WITH A FUEL STOP IN KCDS.

## 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 WPR26LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA259), Jul 7, 2026: Vans RV8 (N425GB), Monte Vista, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions.

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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