# NTSB GAA17CA541: Rudberg Todd W Vans Acft RV8, N232TB, Manzanita, OR, September 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2017, 17:10 local (Sep 17, 2017, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Manzanita, OR - Coordinates: 45.698055, -123.929725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6981&lon=-123.9297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA541 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96034/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96034 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA541 ## Probable cause The airplane’s collision with two elks during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: [Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=05615VR), [All aircraft, 358 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-landing roll: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=05615VR), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05615VR), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05615VR), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed on the runway and noticed an elk running toward the nose of the airplane. He applied full throttle and climbed to avoid impact, but the propeller struck the elk. The pilot shut off the engine, and the airplane descended to the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, a second elk collided with the airplane's left wing. The airplane veered to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and came to rest on the right wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport stated that there was wildlife in the vicinity of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot, reported that he landed on the runway and noticed an elk running toward the nose of the airplane. He applied full throttle and climbed to avoid impact, but the propeller struck the elk. The pilot shut off the engine and the airplane descended to the runway. When the airplane touched down on the runway, a second elk collided with the airplane's left wing. The airplane veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane then veered to the right and came to rest on the right wing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The Airport Facility Directory for the accident airport, states that there is wildlife in the vicinity of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N232TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N232TB), registered now, S/N 81315, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RUDBERG TODD W VANS ACFT RV8 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8](https://openairdocs.org/model/rudberg-todd-w-vans-acft-rv8) (registry code 05615VR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-series) (registry code 41678, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81315 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 1355.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO390 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2017 - Departed: PAE, EVERETT, WA - Destination: 3S7, Manzanita, OR - Airport: 3S7, Nehalem Bay State, runway 33, 2,350 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KAST, 28 nm away ## 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 20170916016039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170916016039A), Sep 16, 2017: Rudberg Todd W VANS ACFT RV8, Manzanita, OR, Substantial damage. Shortly after touchdown on landing rollout runway 33 approximately 1000 feet from the threshold, aircraft struck two elk before coming to rest on the runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96034. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.