# NTSB DEN05CA040: Daniels Vans RV-8, N204X, Albuquerque, NM, December 19, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 19, 2004, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.145, -106.794998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1450&lon=-106.7950&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA040

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in a ground loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the landing touchdown and initial landing roll were uneventful. When the tailwheel settled to the runway, the airplane "departed to the left aggressively." The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with full right rudder; however, it was ineffective. The airplane departed the runway to the right. The right main gear caught in the dirt and separated causing substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On December 19, 2004, at approximately 1130 mountain standard time, a Daniels Vans RV-8, N204X, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it encountered a ground loop during the landing roll at Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at approximately 1000.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, the landing touchdown and initial landing roll were uneventful. When the tailwheel settled to the runway, the airplane "departed to the left aggressively." The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with full right rudder; however, it was ineffective. The airplane departed the runway to the right. The right main gear caught in the dirt and separated. The main spar in the right wing was buckled, one propeller blade was cracked, and another propeller blade had separated at midspan. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N204X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204X-2007-05-05), registration cancelled 2007-05-05, S/N 81540, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Daniels Vans RV-8
- Registry model: [Daniels James W RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/daniels-james-w-rv-8) (registry code 05617HA) (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: 81540
- Airframe hours: 5.7
- Engines: Aero Engines IO-360-B1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 5.7 hours before
- Departed: AEG, Albuquerque, NM
- Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 9, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 480 total, 5 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.44 inHg
- Observed at: AEG, 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 20041219031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041219031329A), Dec 19, 2004: Amtr RV8, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 19, 2004 at 1130 MST, a vans RV-8, N204X, registered to and operated by the pilot, lost control and skidded sideways off the runway during…

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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