No fatalities

8 Jun 2020: VANS RV8 — Sulfer, LA

Sulfer, LA, United States

On 8 Jun 2020, a VANS RV8 was involved in an aviation accident near Sulfer, LA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of directional control as a result of a fractured landing gear attach bracket. 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

During landing with gusty crosswind, a tailwheel airplane experienced a bounce and left-wing drop, then veered left and nosed over after exiting the runway. Post-accident examination found a fractured left landing gear attach bracket.

Accident Summary

A tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over after losing directional control during landing. The accident occurred on runway 15 in gusty wind conditions, with the wind reported from 250°.

Pilot Narrative

According to the pilot, during the landing flare, the right main tire touched down with a slight bounce. As the left main tire contacted the runway, the left side of the airplane "dropped suddenly." The airplane then began to veer to the left. Despite applying full right rudder and right brake, directional control was maintained for only several hundred feet before the airplane exited the runway surface. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over.

Post-Accident Examination

A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed a fractured left landing gear inboard attach bracket. The right elevator sustained substantial damage from the nose-over event.

Contributing factors

Causes

Main landing gear attach sec — Failure

Other contributing factors

Attain/maintain not possible