# NTSB LAX04CA231: Glenn L Smith RV-8, N767GS, Boulder City, NV, May 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2004, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Boulder City, NV - Coordinates: 35.947498, -114.868614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9475&lon=-114.8686&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59373/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA231 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was a sudden wind shift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis During the landing roll the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck a runway distance remaining sign. The UNICOM airport advisory reported winds as 120 degrees, variable 10 to 15 knots with gusts, and landing on runway 9R. The pilot visually checked the windsock and noted it indicating southeasterly. He made an uneventful tail wheel landing on runway 9R. As the airplane's speed reached 45 knots during the landing roll, a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. Despite left rudder, left brake, and left aileron inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2004, at 1040 Pacific daylight time, a Smith RV-8, N767GS, collided with an object during the landing roll at Boulder City Municipal Airport, Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot and single passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated at Boulder City at 1010. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was returning to the airport after a quick maintenance flight. The Boulder City UNICOM airport advisory reported winds as 120 degrees, variable 10 to 15 knots with gusts, and landing on runway 9R. The pilot visually checked the windsock and noted it indicating southeasterly. He made an uneventful tail wheel landing on runway 9R. As the airplane's speed reached 45 knots during the landing roll, a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right. Despite left rudder, left brake, and left aileron inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck a runway distance remaining sign. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N767GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N767GS), registered now, S/N 81074, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glenn L Smith RV-8 - Registry model: [Smith Glenn L RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-glenn-l-rv-8) (registry code 05612OZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81074 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glenn L Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: K61B, Boulder City, NV - Destination: K61B, Boulder City, NV - Airport: K61B, Boulder City Municipal, runway 9R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 17,273 total, 324 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040523008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040523008169A), May 23, 2004: Amtr RV8, Boulder City, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 23, 2004, at approximately 11:50 psd, Mr. Smith, the pilot in command of N767GS was returning to Boulder City airport (61B). He monitored ASOS… 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.