Pilot Debrief

Vans VANS RV 8 near Fernandina Beach, FL — 2020-01-24

Final reportERA20CA087
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Date
2020-01-24
Location
Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
Airport
FHB
Aircraft
Vans VANS RV 8
Registration
N130JK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s loss of directional control on landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had recently purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane and was receiving flight instruction in it toward a tailwheel endorsement. He had previously completed two successful landings. During the third landing with a 12- to 14-knot right crosswind and just as the tailwheel was about to settle onto the runway, the airplane began to veer right. The pilot and flight instructor attempted to compensate by applying full left rudder, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway into grass. The left main landing gear collapsed; the left wing struck the ground, substantially damaging it; and the airplane then came to rest. The pilot and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation nor did a Federal Aviation Administration inspector's postaccident examination of the airplane find any.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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