# NTSB GAA18CA548: Vans Vans RV 8, N289MM, Carson, NV, September 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2018, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Carson, NV - Coordinates: 39.192222, -119.732498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1922&lon=-119.7325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA548 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98283/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98283 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA548 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting, right quartering tailwind 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: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056213D), [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: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056213D), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane was "slightly fast," touched down "firm" on the runway, and then bounced. He increased the engine power to cushion the subsequent landing, but the airplane touched down "left wing low" and pointed right. He then corrected with opposite rudder and brake, but the airplane veered right and exited the runway. 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 airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 09. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane was "slightly fast", touched down "firm" on the runway and bounced. He increased the engine power to cushion the subsequent landing, but the airplane touched down "left wing low" and pointed to the right. He then corrected with opposite rudder and brake, but airplane veered right, and exited the runway to the right. 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 station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots, gusting 20 knots. The airplane landed on runway 09. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N289MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N289MM), registered now, S/N 81934, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans VANS RV 8 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/maier-ronald-glenn-vans-rv-8) (registry code 056213D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81934 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1108.5 - Engines: Titan IO-361A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 12, 2018 - Departed: BIH, Bishop, CA - Destination: CXP, Carson, NV - Airport: CXP, Carson, runway 09, 6,101 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2018; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,800 total, 1,142 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 1 °F - Observed at: KCXP, 1 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 20180911013429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180911013429A), Sep 11, 2018: Maier Ronald Glenn VANS RV-8, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. Automated observation documented winds 240 degrees at 9 , gusting 20. Aircraft landed on rwy 9 with a slight tailwind using the wheel landing method. Pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98283. 686 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473229&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.