# NTSB CEN22LA346: Meschler Gary R RV-4, N79KM, Oshkosh, WI, July 28, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 28, 2022, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI · txy P1 at P
- Coordinates: 43.985708, -88.557942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9857&lon=-88.5579&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105623/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105623
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA346

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The failure of the pilot of N694V (RV-8) to maintain clearance from the preceding airplane, N79KM (RV-4), while taxiing for takeoff, which resulted in an on-ground collision.

## Findings

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

- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Meschler Gary R RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05604DF), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Meschler Gary R RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05604DF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Hollier B C VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=056150T), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Hollier B C VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056150T), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Hollier B C VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=056150T), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Meschler Gary R RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05604DF), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Hollier B C VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056150T), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of N694V, a tailwheel equipped RV-8, reported that he was taxiing for a visual flight rules (VFR) departure with the intention of conducting a flight in the local area. He was taxiing under the direction of ground marshals in accordance with procedures in effect for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2022 fly-in. He was briefly “blinded” by the sun reflecting off the polished wing skin of another airplane and began a shallow S-turn to compensate. As he looked over the left side of his engine cowling, he noticed an airplane emerge from the blind spot. He applied full brakes but was unable to stop before the propeller contacted the empennage of an RV-4, N79KM. The pilot of N79KM, a tailwheel equipped RV-4, reported that he was stopped due to other airplanes in front of him on the taxiway. The RV-4, N79KM, sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and elevator. The RV-8, N694V, sustained minor damage to both propeller blades. The pilots of both airplanes reported no failures or malfunctions with their respective airplanes before the accident.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N79KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79KM), registered now, S/N 1750 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MESCHLER GARY R RV-4
- Registry model: [Meschler Gary R RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/meschler-gary-r-rv-4) (registry code 05604DF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1750
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 778
- Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 16, 2022, 78 hours before
- Departed: OSH, Oshkosh, WI
- Destination: DCU, Decatur, AL
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional, runway 18, 8,002 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N694V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N694V), registered now, S/N 80694, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOLLIER B C VANS RV-8
- Registry model: [Hollier B C VANS RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/hollier-b-c-vans-rv-8) (registry code 056150T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 80694
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 795
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 8, 2022, 28 hours before
- Departed: OSH, Oshkosh, WI
- Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N79KM; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 298 total, 188 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N694V; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 348 total, 200 in this make and model, 279 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KOSH
- METAR: METAR KOSH 281453Z 29011G20KT 10SM CLR 21/12 A2986

## 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 20220728013251A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220728013251A), Jul 28, 2022: Meschler Gary R RV-4, Substantial damage. Pilot was taxiing to the runway via P1 and an aircraft from behind ran into the tail of the aircraft causing substantial damage to the elevators, rudder,…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105623. 25.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 -- pilot of N694V (RV-8) (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14254928&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20~%20N694V_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 -- pilot of N79KM (RV-4) (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 18.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14260366&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20~%20N79KM_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14260463&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Report%20Photos%20--%20CEN22LA346-Rel.pdf
- FAA domestic notice -- eaa airventure oshkosh 2022 / VFR departures (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14260410&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Domestic%20Notice%20--%20EAA%20AirVenture%20Oshkosh%202022%20(VFR%20Departures)-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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