# NTSB GAA17CA280: Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot Vans RV-8, N184ME, Vacaville, CA, May 15, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2017, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.376388, -121.963333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3764&lon=-121.9633&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05635SN), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in a crosswind and as the tailwheel set down, the airplane veered to the right. He added that, despite left rudder input, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted a 20-ft-deep drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing in a crosswind, and as the tailwheel set down, the airplane veered to the right. He added that, despite left rudder input, the airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted a 20 ft. deep drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 20. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N184ME](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184ME), registered now, S/N 82158, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WEAVER STANLEY R/ROBINSON SCOT VANS RV-8 - Registry model: [Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/weaver-stanley-r-robinson-scot-vans-rv-8) (registry code 05635SN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport IO-375M1S](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-io-375m1s) (registry code 01325, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 82158 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 67 - Engines: Aero Sport Power IO-375-M1S 195 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 28, 2016 - Departed: LOL, LOVELOCK, NV - Destination: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Airport: VCB, Nut Tree, runway 20, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 534 total, 36 in this make and model, 472 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KVCB ## 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 20170515023559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170515023559A), May 15, 2017: Weaver Stanley R/Robinson Scot VANS RV-8, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. On 5/15/17 an RV-8 N184ME went off of the runway and into a drainage ditch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot and passenger did not sustain… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95178. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 634 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.