Pilot Debrief

INHOFE/ DAVIS VANS RV-8 near Sheridan, WY — 2011-06-22

Final reportWPR11LA280
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Date
2011-06-22
Location
Sheridan, WY, USA
Airport
SHR
Aircraft
INHOFE/ DAVIS VANS RV-8
Registration
N4546Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane checked the weather prior to landing and noted a light right crosswind. He performed an uneventful approach with an extended downwind segment. He selected full flaps and performed a slip maneuver during the final approach. Just after the main landing gear made contact with the runway, the airplane began to drift to the left. He countered with successively harder right rudder pedal inputs, and the airplane began to swerve to the right. The airplane veered across the runway and into the grass beside the runway. As the tailwheel touched the ground, the pilot applied left rudder pedal pressure, and the airplane veered left, reentered the runway, and came to rest on a heading almost opposite the landing direction. Postaccident examination revealed evidence, including damage to the outer rim of the right wheel and the fuselage at the right landing gear attach point, indicative of excessive side loading during landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing when drift began after main gear contact.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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