# NTSB CEN21LA336: Driver RV-7, N977RV, Oshkosh, WI, July 23, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 23, 2021, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 43.984491, -88.556935
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9845&lon=-88.5569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103541/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103541
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA336

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The RV-8 pilot’s failure to account for the position of the RV-7 behind him during the landing roll in a staggered landing formation, which resulted in a ground collision of the two airplanes. Contributing to the accident was the self-induced pressure created by the airshow environment to land, stop, and get off the runway into the grass as quickly as possible.

## Findings

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

- [Air traffic/operating proc: traffic congestion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Driver Larry VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md?model=05619PL), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Driver Larry VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=05619PL), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)
- [Pressures/demands](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Driver Larry VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md?model=05619PL), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Gray James W RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=056239F), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)
- [Air traffic/operating proc: traffic congestion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Gray James W RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md?model=056239F), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md)
- [Pressures/demands](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Gray James W RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md?model=056239F), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Driver Larry VANS RV-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05619PL), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Gray James W RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=056239F), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Gray James W RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056239F), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilots reported that they were landing at an airshow fly-in in a staggered four-airplane formation. The RV-8 was in the No. 2 position and the RV-7 was right behind it in the No. 3 position. The RV-7 bounced during the landing and the pilot lost sight of the RV-8 in front of him. The air traffic controller instructed the flight to turn left onto the grass and the RV-8 pilot later reported that he started the turn “without regarding the airplane behind” him. According to the RV-7 pilot, when the RV-8 came back into view, it was turning left directly in front of his airplane. The RV-7 pilot immediately applied the brakes and swerved hard to the right, but his left wing impacted the RV-8’s rudder, followed by the right wing and aileron. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage. Both pilots reported that the airshow environment created pressure to land, stop, and get off the runway into the grass as quickly as possible.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On July 23, 2021, about 1345 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-7 airplane, N977RV, and a RV-8 airplane, N747JG, sustained substantial damage when they were involved in an accident at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilots of both airplanes were not injured. The airplanes were operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilots reported that they were landing at OSH for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture airshow in a staggered four-airplane formation. They were cleared to fly to the orange dot and land on the green dot on runway 27. The RV-8 was in the No.2 position and the RV-7 was right behind it in the No. 3 position. The pilot of the RV-8 reported that he touched down and shortly thereafter air traffic control instructed the flight to turn left onto the grass. He stated that he started the turn “without regarding the airplane behind” him; the RV-7 struck his airplane’s rudder then right wing. Both the rudder and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the RV-7 reported that his airplane touched down and bounced. It settled back onto the runway and started to slow. As the tailwheel touched down, he lost sight of the RV-8. When the RV-8 came back into view, it was turning left directly in front of his airplane. The pilot immediately applied the brakes and swerved hard to the right, but his left wing impacted the RV-8’s rudder, followed by the right wing and aileron. The RV-7’s horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. Both pilots reported that the airshow environment created pressure to land, stop, and get off the runway into the grass as quickly as possible. The pilot of the RV-8 further mentioned that their group of four pilots had been flying together for a very long time and they regularly conduct staggered landings. However, they normally had a very long rollout before turning onto the taxiway. The Formation Flying Inc Formation Guidelines and Standard Procedures states under Landing Options, Option 2: Staggered, “The lead aircraft must NEVER turn to cross the path of the wingman as he (she) exits the runway, without being assured that the wingman has his (her) speed under control.”

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N977RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N977RV-2025-01-30), registration cancelled 2025-01-30, S/N 71409, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Driver RV-7
- Registry model: [Driver Larry VANS RV-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/driver-larry-vans-rv-7) (registry code 05619PL) (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: 71409
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 1472
- Engines: Superior Air Parts XP-IO-360-B1AA2 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2021
- Departed: FOD, Fort Dodge, IA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 27, 6,179 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N747JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N747JG), registered now, S/N 81612, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRAY RV-8
- Registry model: [Gray James W RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-james-w-rv-8) (registry code 056239F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17045, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 81612
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: Barrett Precision Engines IO-360-X 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 2021
- Departed: FOD, Fort Dodge, IA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N977RV; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 7,200 total, 92 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N747JG; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 19,620 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KOSH
- METAR: KOSH 231753Z 19006KT 9SM FEW040 29/22 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP157 T02940217 10300 20222 58011

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20210723013592A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210723013592A), Jul 23, 2021: Driver Larry VANS RV-7, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. On 7/23/2021 at 1510L, Oshkosh, WI (osh) ATCT recieved an public inquiry from experimental aircraft association personnel about a flight of two vans rv…
- [Accident 20210723013582A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210723013582A), Jul 23, 2021: Gray James W RV-8, Osh, WI, Substantial damage. On 7/23/2021 at 1510L, oshkosh, WI (Osh) ATCT recieved an public inquiry from experimental aircraft association personnel about a flight of two vans rv…

## Other investigations on N977RV (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN23FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA220), Jun 2, 2023: Vans RV7 (N977RV), Gibbon, NE, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane into known adverse weather and icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control.

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103541. 18.5 MB in all.

- N977RV - pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 8.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12837688&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N977RV_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- N747JG - pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12836695&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N747JG%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation - pilot of the RV-8, N747JG (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13057072&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Front%20airplane%20RV%208-Rel.pdf
- Postaccident photos - courtesy of the federal aviation administration (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13057591&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos-Rel.pdf
- Excerpts from formation flying inc. formation guidelines and standard procedures (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13053561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FFI%20FORMATION%20GUIDE%20excerpts-Rel.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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