# NTSB FTW03LA169: Kilishek RV-8, N888GK, Crawford, TX, June 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2003, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Crawford, TX - Coordinates: 31.593889, -97.32833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5939&lon=-97.3283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57180 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57180/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional ground looping of the airplane. A contributing factor was the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in an improper selection of a touchdown point. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach for runway 17, a 1,900 foot long by 120-foot wide grass runway, he stabilized the aircraft at 65 knots, aiming to touch down approximately one third of the way down the runway. The aircraft "floated slightly, then skipped before settling on the ground." The pilot stated the aircraft "touched down longer than he intended, and the aircraft was not slowed sufficiently to stop at the end of the runway." The pilot further stated that he "applied full left ruder (and tailwheel steering) to intentionally ground loop the airplane rather than go into a ditch at the end of the runway." Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2003, at 1000 central daylight time, an amateur built Kilished RV-8 tailwheel equipped airplane, N888GK, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at a private airstrip near Crawford, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot/builder. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Lancaster Airport, near Lancaster, Texas, at 0930, and was destined for Scott Airport, near Crawford, Texas. The 967-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on final approach for runway 17, a 1,900 foot long, 120-foot wide grass runway, he stabilized the aircraft at 65 knots, aiming to touch down approximately one third of the way down the runway. The aircraft "floated slightly, then skipped before settling on the ground." The pilot stated the aircraft "touched down longer than he intended, and the aircraft was not slowed sufficiently to stop at the end of the runway." The pilot further stated that he "applied full left ruder (and tailwheel steering) to ground loop the airplane rather than go into a ditch at the end of the runway." Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over coming to rest inverted. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the vertical stabilizer and left wing were structurally damaged, the fuselage was wrinkled near the canopy, and the propeller was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: N888GK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Kilishek RV-8 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80006 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2003, 28.1 hours before - Departed: LNC, Lancaster, TX - Destination: 31TX, Crawford, TX - Airport: 31TX, Scott Airport, runway 17, 1,900 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 22, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 967 total, 130 in this make and model, 859 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg ## 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 20030607016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030607016349A), Jun 7, 2003: Amtr RV8, Waco, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Kilishek was on a VFR 14 CFR 91 pleasure flight from midway airport to scott field. During the attempted landing at scott field Mr. Kilishek overshot… 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.