# NTSB CHI05LA237: Kircher RV-8, N505DF, Menomonie, WI, August 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2005, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Menomonie, WI - Coordinates: 44.892223, -91.867774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8922&lon=-91.8678&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62329/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to perform an aerobatic roll during takeoff, the low altitude, and his failure to maintain clearance from the crops and terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather condition - crosswind - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - terrain condition - crop - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane was destroyed on impact with terrain following a takeoff from runway 27. Reports stated the pilot flew the airplane to the airport to give rides in it. After receiving their rides, the passengers watched the airplane depart. The passengers at the airport witnessed the airplane climb out, enter a roll, and get half way through the roll before the airplane descended below the tops of a corn crop. The recorded wind was 280 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. Trees were obstructions listed for runway 27 and an irrigation system was listed as the controlling obstruction in the remarks for runway 27. The aircraft came to rest inverted in a cornfield. An on-scene inspection revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91.303, in part, stated, "Aerobatic flight. No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight- ... (c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport; (d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway; (e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or ... For the purposes of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight." ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 21, 2005, about 1100 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kircher RV-8 airplane, N505DF, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain following a take off from the Menomonie Municipal Airport-Score Field (LUM), near Menomonie, Wisconsin. The personal flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and its destination is unknown. According to police reports, the pilot flew the airplane to LUM to give rides in it. After receiving their rides, the passengers watched the airplane depart. The passengers at the airport witnessed the airplane climb out, enter a roll, and get half way through the roll before the airplane descended below the tops of a corn crop. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating. He held a Third Class Medical certificate that was issued on January 29, 1999. The pilot reported his total flight time was 250 hours on the application for that medical certificate and he reported that he had accumulated 40 hours of flight time in the six months prior to that application. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION N505DF was a single engine, experimental amateur-built Kircher RV-8, serial number 81439. The tandem two-seat, low-wing, monoplane had a maximum gross weight of 1,800 pounds. The airplane was powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360-A1A engine, serial number L-38687-36A. The airplane's logbooks showed the last condition inspection was dated July 23, 2005. The airplane had accumulated a total time of 528.6 hours at that inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1034, the recorded weather at LUM was: Wind 270 degrees at 8 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition broken 3,200 feet; temperature 18 degrees C; dew point 10 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury. At 1054, the recorded weather at LUM was: Wind 280 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition broken 3,400 feet; temperature 18 degrees C; dew point 9 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury. At 1114, the recorded weather at LUM was: Wind 300 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered 3,400 feet; temperature 20 degrees C; dew point 10 degrees C; altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury. AIRPORT INFORMATION The East Central US Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) indicated LUM's field elevation was 895 feet and that LUM was an uncontrolled airport with two runways, 9/27 and 18/36. The A/FD showed that runway 9/27 was asphalt-surfaced, 4,900 feet long, and 75 feet wide and that runway 18/36 was asphalt-surfaced, 3,470 feet long, and 75 feet wide. Road and trees are obstructions listed for runway 9/27. An irrigation system is listed as the controlling obstruction in the remarks for runway 27. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft came to rest inverted in a cornfield approximately 1,000 feet West of Stokke Parkway near the extended centerline of the departure runway. A ground scar about 75 feet long running in a southeast to northwest direction was observed. The aircraft's right wing was bent rearward along its fuselage. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed an on-scene inspection. Their inspection revealed no pre-impact anomalies. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Dunn County Coroner's Office arranged for the autopsy that was performed on the pilot. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute prepared a Final Forensic Toxicology Accident Report. The report was negative for the tests performed. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA was a party to the investigation. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91.303, in part, stated: Aerobatic flight. No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight- ... (c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport; (d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway; (e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or ... For the purposes of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N505DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505DF-2005-09-27), registration cancelled 2005-09-27, S/N 81439, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kircher RV-8 - Registry model: [Kircher Dale A VANS RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/kircher-dale-a-vans-rv-8) (registry code 056131C) (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: 81439 - Airframe hours: 528.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale A. Kircher - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2005 - Departed: LUM, Menomonie, WI - Airport: LUM, Score Field, runway 27, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: LUM, 1 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 20050821017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050821017639A), Aug 21, 2005: Amtr RV8, Menomonie, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Three (3) witnesses observed aircraft perform roll maneuver after takeoff from runway 27 at Menomonie municipal airport - Score field (klum). Aircraft… 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.