# NTSB CEN10CA086: Hoover Frank RV-8, N17325, Houma, LA, December 29, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 29, 2009, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.566389, -90.660278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5664&lon=-90.6603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75213/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75213
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA086

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoover Frank RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05606UB), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hoover Frank RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05606UB), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Hoover Frank RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05606UB), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the landing rollout the pilot was unable to arrest a swerve to the right and the tailwheel-equipped airplane subsequently ground-looped. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the wing spar sustained structural damage. No mechanical malfunction was identified with the airplane's flight control system.

## Factual narrative

During the landing rollout the pilot was unable to arrest a swerve to the right and the tailwheel equipped airplane subsequently ground looped. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the wing spar sustained structural damage. In addition, no mechanical malfunction was identified with the airplane's flight control system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17325](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17325), registered now, S/N 80019, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOOVER FRANK RV-8
- Registry model: [Hoover Frank RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoover-frank-rv-8) (registry code 05606UB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 80019
- Airframe hours: 548
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 15, 2009
- Departed: Destin, FL
- Destination: HUM, Houma, LA
- Airport: HUM, Houma-Terrebonne, runway 36, 6,508 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 19,000 total, 560 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: MSY, 34 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 20091229053549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091229053549A), Dec 29, 2009: Hoover Fran RV-8, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. The pilot was landing on runway 36, at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport in Houma, LA, as the number 2 in a flight of two with a T6. He was about 2,000 feet behind…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 13, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75213. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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