# NTSB CEN09LA236: Argence RV-8, N89EA, Angleton, TX, April 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 2009, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Angleton, TX - Coordinates: 29.264722, -95.411941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2647&lon=-95.4119&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73607/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA236 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during initial climbout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Argence Enas A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056212S), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Argence Enas A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056212S), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Argence Enas A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056212S), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident airplane departed third in a flight of four airplanes. The pilot of the first airplane was observed doing a roll during climb-out. The second airplane climbed out normally. As the third and accident airplane was on initial climbout the airplane was observed to do a roll. As the airplane's wings rolled back to a level attitude, the airplane impacted into trees and subsequently the ground. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted, but was later airlifted to a hospital. Following the accident, continuity was established to all of the airplane's flight controls. Due to the pilot's injuries, he could not be interviewed by investigators or submit an accident report form. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 2009, about 1440 central daylight time, a single-engine Argence RV-8 airplane, N89EA, was destroyed during impact with trees following a roll during initial climb-out from the Flyin' Tiger Field (81D), Angleton, Texas. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to several eyewitnesses, the accident airplane departed third in a flight of four airplanes. The pilot of the first airplane was observed doing a roll during climb-out. The second airplane climbed-out normally. As the third and accident airplane was on climb-out the airplane was observed to do a roll. Witnesses reported that as the airplane's wings rolled back to a level attitude, the airplane impacted into trees and subsequently the ground. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted, but was later airlifted to a hospital. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and reported that the airplane was nearly consumed in the post crash fire. In addition, the inspector reported that continuity was established to all of the airplane's flight controls. Due to the pilot's injuries, he could not be interviewed by investigators. The pilot was also unable to submit a NTSB 6120.1 accident form. At 1453, the weather observation facility at the Brazoria County Airport (LBX), Angleton, Texas, located 9 nautical miles southwest from the site of the accident, was reporting the wind from 150 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,600 feet and 4,100 feet, broken ceiling at 6,000 feet, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.77 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89EA-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 009, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ARGENCE RV-8 - Registry model: [Argence Enas A RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/argence-enas-a-rv-8) (registry code 056212S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 009 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Milne Robert D - Registered owner: Milne Robert D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 81D, Angleton, TX - Airport: 81D, Flyin' Tiger Field, runway 16, 2,261 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: front; flight hours: 25,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: LBX, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090404004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090404004959A), Apr 4, 2009: Amtr RV8, Angleton, TX, Destroyed. (-23) N89EA, was destroyed when it impacted with trees following an aileron roll during climb-out from the flying' Tiger airport (81D), near Angleton, Texas.… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.