Accident Overview
On May 1, 2011, at approximately 1630 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Dralle (Van's Aircraft) RV-8, registration N998RV, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. The private pilot was operating the aircraft under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and was not injured. The cross-country personal flight had departed Los Banos Municipal Airport, California, about 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Landing and Damage
The pilot performed a straight-in approach and wheel landing on runway 25R. He reported a direct crosswind of 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. As the airplane slowed and the tail dropped, he applied full aft elevator. Intending to exit right onto taxiway E, he applied brakes. As he initiated the turn, a gust of wind caught the right wing, tipping the airplane onto the left wing, causing the left aileron hinge to scrape on the runway. The airplane then hopped twice on the left main landing gear. The pilot applied left rudder, realigned with the runway centerline, and came to a stop. Not perceiving any damage, he taxied back to his hangar.
Post-accident examination revealed that the left landing gear mounting box and adjacent fuselage structure were bent. Additionally, the left wing sustained buckling damage to its leading edge adjacent to the forward fuselage mounting point and landing gear box.
Pilot Comments
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He stated the accident could have been prevented by either slowing the airplane prior to exiting at the chosen taxiway or continuing to the next available taxiway. He also cited gusty wind conditions as aggravating the situation.