# NTSB CEN12CA292: Risher Jimmy E Vans Aircraft RV-8, N811JR, Pecos, TX, May 12, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2012, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Pecos, TX - Coordinates: 31.382223, -103.510559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3822&lon=-103.5106&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83625 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83625/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83625 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA292 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind. ## 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: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05629KE), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot approached his destination airport, he listened to the airport’s automated weather reporting station. As he flew over the airfield, he noticed that the wind indicators showed that the wind was from a different direction than what was reported from the automated weather station. He then listened to the reporting station again and learned that the updated report agreed with the wind direction indicators on the airfield. The pilot then selected a runway for the landing approach based on the prevailing wind. The pilot reported that the landing and landing roll were straight and without complications; however, about three-quarters through the landing roll, he felt a large wind gust on the right side of the airplane. The pilot said that he did not have enough rudder authority to overcome the effect of the wind and that the airplane did a 180-degree left turn. During the 180-degree turn, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage near the main landing gear attachment point. ## Factual narrative As the pilot approached his destination airport, he listened to the airport’s automated weather reporting station. As he flew over the airfield, he noticed that the wind indicators were indicating that the wind was from a different direction then what was reported from the automated weather station. He then listened to the reporting station again and learned the updated report agreed with the wind direction indicators on the airfield. The pilot then selected a runway, based on the prevailing wind, for the landing approach. The pilot reported that the landing and rollout were straight, and without complications; however, about three-quarters through the landing roll he felt a large wind gust on the right side of the airplane. The pilot added that he did not have enough rudder authority to overcome the effect of the wind and the airplane did a 180-degree left turn. During the 180-degree turn, the airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage near the main landing gear attachment point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N811JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N811JR-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 81614, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RISHER JIMMY E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8 - Registry model: [Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/risher-jimmy-e-vans-aircraft-rv-8) (registry code 05629KE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport O-360 A2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-o-360-a2a) (registry code 01303, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81614 - Airframe hours: 79 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 25, 2012 - Departed: KGTU, Georgetown, TX - Destination: KPEQ, Pecos, TX - Airport: KPEQ, Pecos Municipal, runway 32, 6,236 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 130 total, 58 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KPEQ ## 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 20120512007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120512007849A), May 12, 2012: Risher Jimmy E VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, Pecos, TX, Substantial damage. On the landing rollout after landing on runway 32, the aircraft experienced crosswinds which caused a ground loop. The left main landing gear bent and damaged… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83625. 701 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo: Damaged airplane (non NTSB photo) (item 3, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Damaged%20airplane%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20(non%20NTSB%20photo)-Master.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. --- 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.