# NTSB CEN13CA251: Alexander Duane A RV-8, N81610, Cortland, OH, May 1, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 1, 2013, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cortland, OH
- Coordinates: 41.381942, -80.712219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3819&lon=-80.7122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86790/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86790
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA251

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after encountering an unexpected soft spot in the runway during landing.

## Findings

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

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Duane A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05606L5), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Duane A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05606L5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alexander Duane A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05606L5), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Alexander Duane A RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05606L5), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Before the flight, the pilot called the destination airport to check on the runway conditions. No concerns were reported. During the landing roll on the grass runway, the airplane encountered a soft spot in the runway and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The empennage and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane before the accident.

## Factual narrative

Prior to the flight, the pilot called to the destination airport to check on the runway conditions. No concerns were reported. During the landing roll to the grass runway, the airplane encountered a soft spot in the runway and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The empennage and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81610](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81610-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 80175, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALEXANDER DUANE A RV-8
- Registry model: [Alexander Duane A RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/alexander-duane-a-rv-8) (registry code 05606L5) (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: 80175
- Airframe hours: 641
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2012
- Departed: KJYO, Leesburg, VA
- Destination: 8OH5, Cortland, OH
- Airport: 8OH5, Urban Airport, runway 18, 2,640 × 130 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total, 100 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KYNG, 7 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 20130501007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130501007299A), May 1, 2013: Alexander Duane A RV-8, Cortland, OH, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was traveling from leesburg Virginia to Urban Ohio in an rv 8. The Urban Airport, (8OH5) is a private airport with grass runways. Prior…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86790. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392141&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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