# NTSB WPR09LA298: Simmons Vans RV-8A, N773JM, Cameron Park, CA, June 19, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2009, 18:00 local (Jun 19, 2009, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Cameron Park, CA - Coordinates: 38.683887, -120.987503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6839&lon=-120.9875&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74084/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74084 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with gusting winds. ## 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: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056165I), [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: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056165I), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056165I), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056165I), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056165I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing roll on Runway 13, the pilot reported that the airplane was struck by a gust of wind and pushed off the runway where the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. Reported winds were from 230 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2009, about 1800 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Simmons Vans RV-8A, veered off the runway after landing on runway 13 at Cameron Airpark (O61), Cameron Park, California. The owner/pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local area flight. The airplane was structurally damaged, and the pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot conveyed that while doing pattern work, he noted the winds were variable and gusty. After touching down on the main landing gear, and completing the rollout, the airplane encountered a "very" strong downward side gust coming from the midfield on the canyon-side of the airport. The gust of wind pushed the airplane off the paved portion of the runway edge and the nose wheel sank in the dirt. The propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. The closest weather reporting station was located about 16 nautical miles west of the accident airport. Recorded weather indicated 10 miles visibility; a scattered cloud layer at 15,000 feet above ground level (agl); winds from 230 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 15 knots; temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 9 degrees Celsius; and altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N773JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N773JM-2009-09-28), registration cancelled 2009-09-28, S/N 80816, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Simmons Vans RV-8A - Registry model: [Simmons Noel VANS RV-8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/simmons-noel-vans-rv-8a) (registry code 056165I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 80816 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James M Everhart - Registered owner: James M Everhart - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: O61, Cameron Park, CA - Destination: O61, Cameron Park, CA - Airport: O61, Cameron Airpark, runway 13, 4,051 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,250 total, 14 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: MHR, 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 20090618008929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090618008929A), Jun 18, 2009: Simmon VANSRV8A, Cameron Park, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that at the time of the accident he and a passenger were practicing landing at the Cameron Park airpark (O61). Some of the landings… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74084. 550 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.