# NTSB ERA21LA048: Vans RV4, N311SV, Milton, FL, November 14, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2020, 10:57 local (16:57 UTC)
- Place: Milton, FL
- Coordinates: 30.632521, -86.993663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6325&lon=-86.9937&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102312/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102312
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA048

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.

## 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: [Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05614U2), [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: [Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614U2), [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; cases with it: [Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05614U2), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05614U2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane and reported that on final approach the wind increased from calm to a quartering left crosswind at 9 knots. During the landing roll, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot applied rudder and brakes, but the airplane skidded sideways on the runway resulting in a ground loop. During the accident sequence the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the runway. The airplane’s engine mount was also substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N311SV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N311SV), registered now, S/N 1054, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS RV4
- Registry model: [Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/vanartsdalen-scott-rv-4) (registry code 05614U2) (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: 1054
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 861
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2020
- Departed: 82J, Pensacola, FL
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 2R4, Peter Prince Field, runway 18, 3,701 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Data recorder, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 12, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,537 total, 112 in this make and model, 1,537 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 14 nm away
- METAR: KPNS 141853Z 11009KT 10SM CLR 24/16 A3005 RMK AO2 SLPNO T02440161 $

## 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 20201114014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201114014999A), Nov 14, 2020: Vanartsdalen Scott RV-4, Milton, FL, Substantial damage. Winds reported on UNICOM as 150 at 9 knots. Pilot with passenger landed on runway 18. During ground roll out, aircraft veered left. Pilot applied right rudder…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102312. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11631799&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB-6120_Poffenberger_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11631970&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR_Pilot_Statement%20-%20ERA21LA048_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11631173&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-FAA%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11632548&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20-%20ERA21LA048-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.

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