# NTSB DEN05LA115: Hepperlen RV-8, N25MH, Durango, CO, May 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2005, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.203334, -107.870002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2033&lon=-107.8700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 62040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62040/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA115 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the ground roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - other - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot had serviced the airplane brakes prior to departure. He stated that during the departure roll, his left foot slipped off of the rudder pedal, possibly due to hydraulic fluid on the floor. The pilot stated that he attempted to put his foot back on the rudder pedal; however, the "bottom of the instrument panel" contacted his thigh and prevented him from doing so. He reduced the power; however, the airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted a hill causing substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2005, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Hepperlen RV-8, N25MH, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while departing Animas Airpark, Durango, Colorado. 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 cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Beatrice (BIE), Nebraska. The pilot notified the National Transportation Safety Board of this accident on July 21, 2005. According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, he had serviced the airplane brakes prior to departure. He stated that during the departure roll, his left foot slipped off of the rudder pedal, possibly due to hydraulic fluid on the floor. The pilot stated that he attempted to put his foot back on the rudder pedal; however, the "bottom of the instrument panel" contacted his thigh and prevented him from doing so. He reduced the power and the airplane departed the runway to the right impacting a hill. He stated that the left landing gear assembly was bent aft and had pushed the gearbox housing into the fuselage. The left side of the fuselage was wrinkled. The pilot reported no anomalies with any of the airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25MH), registered now, S/N 80540, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hepperlen RV-8 - Registry model: [Hepperlen RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/hepperlen-rv-8) (registry code 056130N) (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: 80540 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2004, 65 hours before - Departed: 00V, Durango, CO - Destination: BIE, Beatrice, NE - Airport: 00C, Animas Air Park, runway 19, 5,010 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 16,086 total, 65 in this make and model, 15,689 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: DRO, 6 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 20050521016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050521016029A), May 21, 2005: Amtr RV8, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot he had serviced the aircraft brakes by adding fluid to the brakes reservoir. During the take-off roll one of his feet slipped off… 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.