# NTSB ERA21LA365: Vans Vans RV-8, N798RT, Atlanta, GA, September 13, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2021, 20:05 local (Sep 13, 2021, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.357722, -84.572528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3577&lon=-84.5725&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- 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): 103889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103889/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103889
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA365

## Probable cause

A loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion resulting as a result of the inadvertent rudder input by the passenger.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing rollout, the airplane began to veer to the left and he attempted to counter with a right rudder input. He stated that the rudder pedals seemed jammed, and the airplane continued to veer to the left side of the runway. He quickly applied right brake, but it was not enough, and the airplane departed the runway and entered a marshy area, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies prior to the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that his passenger was experienced a leg cramp and was depressed the left rudder pedal during the landing roll. A statement received from the passenger confirmed the leg cramp.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N798RT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VANS VANS RV-8 (NO SERIES)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 83105
- Year built: 2011
- Airframe hours: 569.5
- Engines: Aero Sport Power IO-375-B1B 203 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A-Mark Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 15, 2021
- Departed: 5R4, Foley, AL
- Destination: FFC, Atlanta, GA
- Airport: FFC, Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field, runway 31, 5,768 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 21,669 total, 563 in this make and model, 14,973 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KFFC
- METAR: METAR KFFC 212053Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM FEW035 SCT046 27/23 A3002 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E SLP160 T02670228 56018=

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103889. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12827780&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA365_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pax statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12828471&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RV%20AccidentPaxStatement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Mor FAA damage assessment (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12828481&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20damage%20assessment%20LA365-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 322 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12828548&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Damage%20Photo%20N798RT-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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