# NTSB WPR09CA095: Dickson Vans RV-8, N396JD, El Monte, CA, January 21, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 21, 2009, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.085834, -118.034721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0858&lon=-118.0347&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA095

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## 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: [Dickson Jim RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619IF), [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: [Dickson Jim RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05619IF), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dickson Jim RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05619IF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Dickson Jim RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05619IF), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The approach to the destination airport was uneventful and the wind condition was calm. The amateur-built airplane touched down and a small bounce ensued. As the tail began to lower, the pilot applied brakes in an attempt to slow the airplane. The tail began to swing to the right (pointing the airplane's nose to the left) and the pilot tried to correct the offset by adding right rudder. The airplane began to skid sideways, breaking off the right main landing gear, and the airplane came to rest off of the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had added more right rudder to maintain runway centerline. He additionally stated that more training and tailwheel experience would have helped prevent the accident.

## Factual narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that following eight full-stop practice takeoffs and landings he departed from his home airport. The approach to the destination airport was uneventful and the wind condition was calm. The airplane touched down and a small bounce ensued. As the tail began to lower, the pilot applied brakes in an attempt to slow the airplane. The tail began to swing to the right (pointing the airplane's nose to the left) and the pilot tried to correct the offset by adding right rudder. The airplane began to skid sideways, breaking off the right main landing gear; the airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway. The right wing sustained damage during the impact sequence. The pilot spoke with a National Transportation Safety investigator immediately following the accident. He stated that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had added more right rudder application to maintain runway centerline. He additionally stated that more training and tailwheel experience would have helped prevent the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N396JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N396JD), registered now, S/N 81923, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Dickson Vans Aircraft RV-8
- Registry model: [Dickson Jim RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/dickson-jim-rv-8) (registry code 05619IF) (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: 81923
- Airframe hours: 178
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, October 28, 2008, 27 hours before
- Departed: SMO, Santa Monica, CA
- Destination: KEMT, El Monte, CA
- Airport: KEMT, El Monte Airport, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 140 total, 10 in this make and model
- Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,200 total, 40 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20090121002039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090121002039A), Jan 21, 2009: Dickso RV8, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor pilot (PIC) states the follwing, "we landed and were going down the runway nice and straight, I told him he did a good job and then he made a…

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.

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