# NTSB SEA96LA005: Chard RV-3A, N27RV, Forest Grove, OR, October 8, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1995, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Forest Grove, OR - Coordinates: 45.549171, -123.149024 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5492&lon=-123.1490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA005 ## Probable cause The pilot exceeded the design stress limit of the aircraft, followed by the failure of the right wing main spar. ## Analysis The pilot of the RV-3 initiated a steeply banked right turn, after following another aircraft in a rapid climbing maneuver. During this turn, which was described by witnesses on the ground as extremely tight, the right wing was seen to separate from the fuselage. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the front wing spar had failed just outboard of its attach fitting, and the rear spar and rear spar doubler plate experienced a overstress separation through the attach bolt hole. The recording accelerometer found in the wreckage was indicating .2 G's more than the 9 G ultimate load limit published by the designer of the RV-3 aircraft plans. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 1995, approximately 1640 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Chard RV-3A, N27RV, experienced an inflight separation of the right wing. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Sunset Airpark about 40 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to witnesses, the RV-3 followed an RV-8 in a steep climbing maneuver, and then initiated a level steeply banked turn. During this turn, which was described by witnesses on the ground as an extremely tight right turn, the right wing of the RV-3 was seen to depart the fuselage. The fuselage and remaining wing descended to the ground, impacting in an inverted position. According to Van's Aircraft Change Notice CN-1, Van's Aircraft performed stress analysis calculations prior to releasing the RV- 3 plans, and the calculations determined that the major wing components should withstand loads of 9 G's before failure. In addition, Van's Aircraft performed a static load test on an RV-3 structure, which was built according to plans, and the main wing spar failed at 9 g's. The recording accelerometer found in the wreckage of N27RV was indicating a positive 9.2 G's. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the forward wing spar had failed just outboard of the attach fitting, and the rear spar, and rear spar root doubler plate, had fractured through the spar-to-fuselage attach bolt hole. The rear spar root and rear spar root doubler were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for a metallurgical examination. The examination of both pieces revealed features and deformation patterns consistent with overstress separation. No evidence of fatigue failure was found. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - wing,spar - failure (cause) - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27RV-1997-03-17), registration cancelled 1997-03-17, S/N 27A1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHARD RV-3A - Registry model: [Chard VAN'S RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/chard-van-s-rv-3) (registry code 0560805) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 27A1 - Airframe hours: 892 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Moseley, Hugh S. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1995, 10 hours before - Departed: 10R3, NORTH PLAINS, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,892 total, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19951008036139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951008036139A), Oct 8, 1995: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Forest Grove, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Abrupt pullup and tight turn broke wing spar. Wing separated in flight. Exceeded load 9G load stress. 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.