# NTSB CEN23LA356: Vans JV-Special / RV8, N7776J, Roanoke, TX, August 8, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 8, 2023, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Roanoke, TX - Coordinates: 33.054091, -97.232008 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0541&lon=-97.2320&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA356 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192833/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192833 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA356 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633C9), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633C9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05633C9), [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: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05633C9), [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: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633C9), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05633C9), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while executing a three-point landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane touched down and a wind gust pushed the nose of the airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to keep the wings level and remain on the runway. He then applied the brakes and “shoved” the flight control stick forward. The airplane hit the runway on its nose and came to rest upright which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 17 with wind from 090° at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7776J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7776J-2026-02-24), registration cancelled 2026-02-24, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS JV-Special / RV8 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-r-wilhite-jv-special) (registry code 05633C9) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 438.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 3, 2022 - Departed: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 52F, Northwest Rgnl, runway 17, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,756.1 total, 426.7 in this make and model, 4,756.1 as pilot in command, 10.1 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KAFW, 6 nm away - METAR: KAFW 081453Z 09009KT 10SM FEW090 SCT150 BKN210 BKN250 31/21 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP128 VIRGA T03110211 50013= ## 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 20230808021789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230808021789A), Aug 8, 2023: John R Wilhite JV SPECIAL, Roanoke, TX, Substantial damage. Arrived on scene 08/08/2023 at approx 1130L. Took a statement from the pilot who was not injured. He stated "sequence of events and time line for incident/… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192833. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 650 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16562451&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=n7776j%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 742 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16562588&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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. --- 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.