No fatalities

21 Jan 2009: Dickson Vans Aircraft RV-8 — El Monte, CA

El Monte, CA, United States

On 21 Jan 2009, a Dickson Vans Aircraft RV-8 was involved in an aviation accident near El Monte, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that after practicing full-stop takeoffs and landings, a landing bounce led to a skid, breaking the right main landing gear and damaging the right wing. No pre-impact mechanical failures were noted.

Accident Details

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he departed from his home airport following eight full-stop practice takeoffs and landings. The approach to the destination airport was uneventful, and the wind condition was calm. Upon touchdown, the airplane experienced a small bounce. As the tail began to lower, the pilot applied brakes in an attempt to slow the airplane. The tail then began to swing to the right, pointing the airplane's nose to the left. The pilot tried to correct the offset by adding right rudder. The airplane began to skid sideways, breaking off the right main landing gear, and came to rest off the left side of the runway. The right wing sustained damage during the impact sequence.

Pilot's Observations

The pilot spoke with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator immediately following the accident. He stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had added more right rudder application to maintain the runway centerline. He additionally stated that more training and tailwheel experience would have helped prevent the accident.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained