# NTSB DFW07CA122: Luciani RV8, N188LC, Tomball, TX, May 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2007, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.056943, -95.551666
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0569&lon=-95.5517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA122

## Probable cause

The deflated right main landing gear tire, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll and a nose over.  A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane without having the leaking tire inspected.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tire - deflated (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the commercial pilot, the preflight inspection revealed a low right tire with 20 pounds of pressure.  He serviced the tire prior to the test flight to 35 pounds pressure; however, following a normal, soft landing about 25 minutes later, the airplane veered to the right.  He was unable to control the airplane, and it exited the right side of the runway, ground-looped, and nosed over.  The pilot was able to exit unassisted through the shattered canopy.  The pilot reported that a postaccident inspection disclosed that the right tire was completely flat, and that the inner tube was leaking.

## Factual narrative

According to the commercial pilot, the preflight inspection revealed a low right tire with 20 pounds of pressure.  He serviced the tire prior to the test flight to 35 pounds pressure; however, following a normal, soft landing about 25 minutes later, the airplane veered to the right.  He was unable to control the airplane, and it exited the right side of the runway, ground-looped, and nosed over.  The pilot was able to exit unassisted through the shattered canopy.  The pilot reported that a postaccident inspection disclosed that the right tire was completely flat, and that the inner tube was leaking.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N188LC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N188LC), registered now, S/N 82306 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luciani RV8
- Registry model: [Luciani Luis E JR RV8](https://openairdocs.org/model/luciani-luis-e-jr-rv8) (registry code 05622QH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 82306
- Airframe hours: 0
- Engines: Superior Air Parts XP-IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: Luis E Luciani Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2007
- Departed: DWH, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: DWH, Tomball, TX
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks Memorial, runway 17R, 7,009 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 514 total, 1 in this make and model, 434 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 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: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: DWH

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.