# NTSB GAA18CA014: Himsl Vincent S Vans RV-8, N8432, Othello, WA, October 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2017, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Othello, WA - Coordinates: 46.473888, -119.042778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4739&lon=-119.0428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96210 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96210/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96210 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056262I), [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: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056262I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 25, the airplane weathervaned into the 11-knot crosswind from the south. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light, but the pilot continued the takeoff. During the initial climb, the passenger reported smelling fuel, but the airplane remained airborne until the fuel in the right tank was exhausted. The pilot further reported that he was unsure if the landing gear were damaged, and he was unable to contact anyone at the airport to verify the landing gear's condition. He flew to a nearby airport, where the tower controller confirmed that the landing gear appeared undamaged. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the elevator. The nearest METAR to the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 10 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the experimental amateur built, tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 25, the airplane weathervaned into the 11kt crosswind from the south. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) light, but the pilot continued the takeoff. During the initial climb the passenger reported smelling fuel, but the pilot remained airborne until the fuel in the right tank was exhausted. The pilot further reported that he was unsure if the landing gear was damaged and he was unable to contact anyone at the airport to verify the landing gear's condition. He flew to a nearby airport, where the tower confirmed that the landing gear appeared undamaged. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the elevator. The nearest METAR to the accident airport, reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 10kts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8432](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8432), registered now, S/N 80296, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HIMSL VINCENT S VANS RV-8 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/himsl-vincent-s-vans-rv-8) (registry code 056262I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport O-360 A2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-o-360-a2a) (registry code 01303, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80296 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 201 - Engines: Aero Sport Power O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2017 - Departed: M94, MATTAWA, WA - Destination: S94, Colfax, WA - Airport: S70, Othello Muni, runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Heads up display, Electronic multifunction display, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 570 total, 201 in this make and model, 509 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.48 inHg - Observed at: KPSC, 13 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 20171014014649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171014014649A), Oct 14, 2017: Himsl Vincent S VANS RV-8, Othello, WA, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll, when the pilot raised the tail the aircraft had no rudder authority. Aircraft weather-vaned veered to the left, causing the bottom of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96210. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461489&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.