# NTSB ERA22LA423: Kumhyr David B Vans RV-8A, N955DK, Elberta, AL, September 14, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 14, 2022, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Elberta, AL - Coordinates: 30.441864, -87.463868 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4419&lon=-87.4639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - 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): 105959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA423 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105959/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105959 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA423 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kumhyr David B VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05618K3), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kumhyr David B VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618K3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Kumhyr David B VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05618K3), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot described that during the landing approach to the turf runway, while about 50 feet above the runway threshold, he reduced engine power and the airplane began to descend rapidly. He responded by increasing engine power, but the airplane impacted the ground and nosed over. The airplane’s fuselage and vertical stabilizer were 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: [N955DK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N955DK), registered now, S/N 81538, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KUMHYR DAVID B VANS RV-8A - Registry model: [Kumhyr David B VANS RV-8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/kumhyr-david-b-vans-rv-8a) (registry code 05618K3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 81538 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 413.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: R&V Properties LLC - Registered owner: R&V Properties LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 8, 2022 - Departed: KMCB, McComb, MS - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AL55, Shields, runway 09, 2,175 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,670 total, 140 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KNPA, 9 nm away - METAR: KNPA 141756Z 06007KT 10SM FEW250 29/15 A3003 RMK SLP169 FU DSNT N-NE T02940150 10300 20167 58004 ## 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 20220914015329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220914015329A), Sep 14, 2022: Kumhyr David B VANS RV-8A, Elberta, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft touched down and flipped over the nose wheel and came to rest inverted on grass runway. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105959. 1.3 MB in all. - Memorandum for record - pilot interview summary (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14976963&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Lock-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (FAA) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 498 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14977652&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%20Interview_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness interview (FAA) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14976973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20McKiernan_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14977084&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photo%20Array-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. --- 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.