# NTSB WPR22LA179: Sparks Ralph A RV8, N669RS, Deming, NM, May 14, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 14, 2022, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Deming, NM - Coordinates: 32.263507, -107.71793 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2635&lon=-107.7179&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105090/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105090 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff following an encounter with a gust of wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Sparks Ralph A RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056235B), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Sparks Ralph A RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056235B), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sparks Ralph A RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056235B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Sparks Ralph A RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056235B), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sparks Ralph A RV8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056235B), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported during takeoff he felt no wind and the windsock at the end of the runway showed no wind. As the main wheels lifted off the runway, he felt a hard wind gust that turned the airplane left. The pilot continued to feel turbulence and the airplane’s nose subsequently hit the ground and the airplane slid sideways to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N669RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669RS-2024-06-05), registration cancelled 2024-06-05, S/N 82203, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SPARKS RALPH A RV8 - Registry model: [Sparks Ralph A RV8](https://openairdocs.org/model/sparks-ralph-a-rv8) (registry code 056235B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Mattituck TMX-360](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mattituck-tmx-360) (registry code 59602, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 82203 - Year built: 2008 - Engines: TMX O360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: KCHD, Chandler, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DMN, Deming Muni, runway 08, 8,018 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 506 total, 118 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 7° at 8 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 89 °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 20220514006179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220514006179A), May 14, 2022: Sparks Ralph A RV8, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. On may 14, 2022, at 1105 MDT, N669RS, a vans RV-8, single engine airplane, [privacy data omitted] a private pilot, departed the runway shortly after rotating… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105090. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14267557&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14272929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation-Pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 9 photos, 670 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14273078&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20%20Template%20WPR22LA179-Rel.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.