# NTSB GAA16CA230: Grenier Raymond Vans Aircraft, N220RG, Keene, NH, May 11, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2016, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Keene, NH - Coordinates: 42.898334, -72.270835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8983&lon=-72.2708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 93149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93149/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93149 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA230 ## Probable cause The airplane striking a deer during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent nose over. ## 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 · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 359 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/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: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05622TG), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, during the landing roll, two deer ran on to the runway. He reported that the airplane struck one of the deer, exited the right side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to vertical stabilizer and rudder. The flight instructor reported that there were not any pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The pilot did not submit the 6120 Report of Aircraft accident Form as requested by the investigator. The comments section of the FAA Airport Facilities Directory for the accident airport includes the comment: WILDLIFE ON & INVOF (in vicinity of) ARPT. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, during the landing roll, two deer ran on to the runway. He reported that the airplane struck one of the deer, exited the right side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to vertical stabilizer and rudder. The flight instructor reported that there were not any pre-accident mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The pilot did not submit the 6120 Report of Aircraft accident Form as requested by the investigator. The comments section of the FAA Airport Facilities Directory for the accident airport includes the comment: WILDLIFE ON & INVOF (in vicinity of) ARPT. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N220RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N220RG-2016-09-27), registration cancelled 2016-09-27, S/N 004, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRENIER RAYMOND VANS AIRCRAFT (RV-8) - Registry model: [Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/grenier-raymond-vans-aircraft-rv-8) (registry code 05622TG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6) (registry code 41576, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 004 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: ASH, NASHUA, NH - Destination: EEN, Keene, NH - Airport: EEN, Dillant-Hopkins, runway 02, 6,201 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KEEN ## 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 20160511003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160511003429A), May 11, 2016: Grenier Raymond VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8, Keene, NH, Substantial damage. On the date of the accident the pilot in command was conducting a flight review for the second pilot in the aircraft. The PIC was seated in the rear seat of… ## Other investigations on N220RG (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 ERA12LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA069), Nov 9, 2011: Grenier Raymond Vans Aircraft RV-8 (N220RG), Nashua, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The right main landing gear collapse due to the overload fracture of the hardware for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident testing and examination. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93149. 262 KB in all. - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.