# NTSB ERA23LA168: Weiss Theodore T RV-8, N61TW, Ridgeland, SC, January 8, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 8, 2023, 15:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeland, SC
- Coordinates: 32.496851, -80.993149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4969&lon=-80.9931&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: 1 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): 106967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106967/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106967
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA168

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weiss Theodore T RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617TU), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weiss Theodore T RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05617TU), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Weiss Theodore T RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05617TU), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he planned to perform a touch-and-go landing, and proceeded with a “wheel landing.” During rollout, with both main wheels on the runway, “an unpredictable and unknown force” caused the airplane to depart the right side of the runway. The airplane continued toward runway signage, and the pilot applied engine power to avoid it, which resulted in the airplane’s “ground loop to the right.” The airplane’s right wing and propeller struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. Weather reported 14 miles south of the accident site at the time of the accident included clear skies and calm winds. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61TW-2023-06-17), registration cancelled 2023-06-17, S/N 80428 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WEISS THEODORE T RV-8
- Registry model: [Weiss Theodore T RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/weiss-theodore-t-rv-8) (registry code 05617TU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 80428
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 30
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 11, 2022
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 3J1, Ridgeland - Claude Dean, runway 36, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 150 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KNBC, 14 nm away
- METAR: METAR KNBC 081956Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/07 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP228 T01830072=

## 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 20230108002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230108002319A), Jan 8, 2023: Weiss Theodore T RV-8, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Eon-dra message text: Ridgeland, SC (3J1): [privacy data omitted]experimental, crashed for unknown reasons while attempting to land runway 18. Aircraft was…

## Other investigations on N61TW (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD05LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA072), Jun 5, 2005: Weiss Vans RV-8 (N61TW), Canandaigua, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: Partial blocking of the flight controls by unsecured items in the cockpit, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106967. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15906812&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15906292&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fwd_%20Inniss,%20Alexander%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's flight time addendum (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15907057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Flight%20Time%20Addendum_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Docket photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15906558&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.

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