# NTSB GAA18CA507: Vans RV10, N110DV, Spring Branch, TX, August 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2018, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Spring Branch, TX - Coordinates: 29.811666, -98.426109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8117&lon=-98.4261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA507 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98149/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98149 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA507 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and his subsequent abrupt maneuver to avoid trees, which led to the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and resulted in an aerodynamic stall during landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05622GR), [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: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05622GR), [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: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05622GR), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, on short final, the airplane was too low, too slow, and right of the runway centerline, and that he overcorrected to clear trees located at the approach end of runway 12. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and touched down on the upsloping approach end of the runway. The right wing struck rising terrain in the safety area on the right side of the runway, and the airplane skidded across the grass safety area and came to rest on the parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The runway had rising terrain at both the approach and departure ends. The airport facility directory noted that runway 12 had 20-ft-tall trees 25 ft from the runway threshold and required a 4:1 glideslope to remain clear of them. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that on short final, the airplane was too low, too slow, and right of the runway centerline, and that he overcorrected to clear trees located at the approach end of runway 12. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and touched down on the upsloping approach end of the runway. The right wing struck rising terrain in the safety area on the right side of the runway, and the airplane skidded across the grass safety area and came to rest on the parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The runway had rising terrain at both the approach and departure ends. The airport facility directory identifies that runway 12 had 20-foot tall trees that are 25 feet from the runway threshold and requires a 4:1 glide slope to remain clear. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110DV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N110DV-2019-12-06), registration cancelled 2019-12-06, S/N 40065, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV10 - Registry model: [Sipp Richard L VANS RV10](https://openairdocs.org/model/sipp-richard-l-vans-rv10) (registry code 05622GR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-G1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-g1a5) (registry code 41641, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 40065 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 726 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 10, 2017 - Departed: MEI, Meridian, MS - Destination: MEI, Meridian, MS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 1T7, Kestrel Airpark, runway 12, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 714 total, 340 in this make and model, 705 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSAT, 16 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 20180823012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180823012179A), Aug 23, 2018: Sipp Richard L VANS RV10, Spring Branch, TX, Substantial damage. On August 23, 2018 at 12:42 CDT, a vans RV-10 aircraft bearing registration number N110DV, [privacy data omitted] impacted terrain during landing at Kestrel… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98149. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.