# NTSB WPR11LA216: Dralle RV-8, N998RV, Livermore, CA, May 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2011, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.694168, -121.820556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6942&lon=-121.8206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79013/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA216 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to exit the runway while still traveling at an excessive speed and his subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05629QF), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he performed a straight-in approach and subsequent landing with a gusting crosswind. As the airplane slowed, and the tail dropped, he applied full aft elevator control input. The pilot applied brakes and then initiated a turn onto the taxiway. He stated that during the turn a gust of wind caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto the left wing and causing the left aileron hinge to scrape on the runway. The airplane then bounced two times on the left main landing gear. The airplane came to a stop after the pilot applied corrective control inputs. Postaccident examination revealed that the left landing gear mounting box and the adjacent fuselage structure was bent. Additionally the left wing sustained buckling damage to its leading edge, adjacent to the fuselage mounting point and landing gear box. The damage was consistent with the left main landing gear being subjected to an excessive side load. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented by either slowing the airplane down prior to exiting at the chosen taxiway or continuing to the next available taxiway. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2011, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8, N998RV, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. The pilot was operating the experimental amateur-built airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot was not injured. The cross-country personal flight departed Los Banos Municipal Airport, Los Banos, California, about 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane performed a straight-in approach and subsequent wheel landing on runway 25R. He reported a direct 8-knot crosswind, gusting to 15. As the airplane slowed and the tail dropped, the pilot applied full aft elevator control input. His intention was to exit to the right onto taxiway E, and as he approached the taxiway he applied brakes. He reported that as he initiated the turn, a gust of wind caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto the left wing and causing the left aileron hinge to scrape on the runway. The airplane then hopped two times on the left main landing gear. The pilot applied left rudder, realigning the airplane with the runway centerline, and the airplane came to a stop. He assessed the situation, and not perceiving any damage, continued to taxi back to his hangar. Post accident examination revealed that the left landing gear mounting box and the adjacent fuselage structure was bent. Additionally, the left wing sustained buckling damage to its leading edge adjacent to the forward fuselage mounting point and landing gear box. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented by either slowing the airplane down prior to exiting at the chosen taxiway, or continuing to the next available taxiway. He additionally cited gusty wind conditions as aggravating the situation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N998RV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N998RV), registered now, S/N 82880, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8 - Registry model: [Dralle Matthew G RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/dralle-matthew-g-rv-8) (registry code 05629QF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-series) (registry code 41678, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 82880 - Airframe hours: 170 - Engines: Aero Sport Power (Lycoming) IO-390-X 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 23, 2011, 3 hours before - Departed: KLSN, Los Banos, CA - Destination: LVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: LVK, Livermore, runway 25R, 5,253 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 480 total, 178 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: LVK ## 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 20110501008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110501008269A), May 1, 2011: Dralle Matthew G RV-8, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. During taxi and while turning from runway 25R after landing, aircraft right wing experienced a gust of wind causing tailwheeled aircraft skip (crow-hopped).… 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.