No fatalities

21 Apr 2011: VANS RV8 — Locust Grove, GA

Locust Grove, GA, United States

On 21 Apr 2011, a VANS RV8 UNDESIGNAT was involved in an aviation accident near Locust Grove, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

An experimental amateur-built tailwheel airplane nosed over during takeoff after the tail lifted and the airplane turned left. The right wing and propeller struck the ground; substantial damage occurred to the firewall and wings.

Accident Details

An experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. According to the pilot, when the airplane's tail lifted off the ground at approximately 45 knots, the airplane immediately turned left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder, brake, and aileron inputs. Despite these efforts, the airplane's right wing and propeller struck the ground. The pilot subsequently reduced power, and the airplane continued for approximately 150 feet before nosing over.

Damage and Examination

The airplane came to rest upright. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and both wings. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane and found no mechanical anomalies of the brake system or rudder controls. The specific make, model, or registration of the airplane was not provided in the source material.

Contributing factors

PilotPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained