# NTSB CEN17LA061: Mead RV 8A, N918KS, Farmington, MO, December 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 2016, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Farmington, MO - Coordinates: 37.761112, -90.428611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7611&lon=-90.4286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mead Bob J RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05617SW), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mead Bob J RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617SW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mead Bob J RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05617SW), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Mead Bob J RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05617SW), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that all indications were normal during takeoff in the experimental amateur-built airplane. The airplane accelerated normally and became airborne, then the left wing raised, which the pilot assumed was the result of the left crosswind conditions. He applied a correction to the left; however, he overcorrected and the airplane entered a steep left bank. After regaining control of the airplane, the pilot noted that the airplane was about 60° from the runway heading, and he thought that the airplane was too low to correct back to runway heading. The pilot reduced power to land on airport property; however, the terrain was rough and the left wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 2016, about 1230 central standard time, a Mead RV 8A experimental amateur-built airplane, N918KS, impacted terrain during takeoff at the Farmington Regional Airport (FAM), near Farmington, Missouri. The pilot was uninjured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial wing damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from FAM at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that engine starting was normal and that he had checked the weather during the taxi to runway 2. Normal indications were observed during the engine runup. He performed "takeoff checks" and taxied onto the runway. After adding full power, the indications were all normal during the takeoff roll. The airplane accelerated normally, the pilot rotated the airplane at 65 mph, and the airplane lifted off. The left wing came up immediately after takeoff. The pilot "assumed" it was from wind and some gust. He applied a correction to the left. However, the correction was "steep" and he applied another correction to get the airplane's wings level. The airplane was off the prepared runway surface and the pilot stated that the airplane was too low to correct back to the runway. The pilot reduced power to land on airport property. However, the terrain was rough and sloped downward during the landing. The left wing sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions associated with the airplane. At 1256, the recorded weather at FAM was: Wind 340 at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 9 degrees C; dew point -6; altimeter 30.27 inches of mercury. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. No anomalies were detected that could not be attributed to impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N918KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N918KS-2017-07-05), registration cancelled 2017-07-05, S/N 81947, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MEAD RV 8A - Registry model: [Mead Bob J RV-8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mead-bob-j-rv-8a) (registry code 05617SW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81947 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 393 - Engines: Superior XP-360-A1A2 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 28, 2016 - Departed: FAM, FARMINGTON, MO - Destination: FAM, FARMINGTON, MO - Airport: FAM, Farmington Rgnl, runway 2, 4,222 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2016; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 18,390 total, 64 in this make and model, 15,510 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KFAM ## 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 20161227022889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161227022889A), Dec 27, 2016: Mead Bob J RV-8A, Farmington, MO, Destroyed. Pilot and one passenger departed runway 02 at Farmington Missouri (kfam). Pilot stated that the aircraft preflight and run-up was normal. Pilot stated that on… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94533. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA Inspector found no preimpact anomalies (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455208&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA%20Inspector%20found%20no%20preimpact%20anomalies-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records - FAM (item 3, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20FAM-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.