Introduction
On 11 June 2003 at 1130Z, a VAN’S AIRCRAFT RV-8, registration ZU-VAN, was involved in a taxi incident at a private aerodrome on Glendower farm, Kokstad. The aircraft was conducting conversion training at the time. There were two persons on board, and no injuries were sustained. Minor damage was caused to the landing gear box structure on the airframe.
Incident Details
The aircraft was taxied on the runway to the threshold of Runway 19, which is a grass runway. During the 180° turn to line up on Runway 19, the pilot seated in front turned too wide, causing the left-hand gear to enter a rut next to the runway. Minor damage was caused to the landing gear box structure on the airframe. The flight was conducted under Algoa Flying Club in Port Elizabeth, with authorisation from the CAA granted on 3 June 2003. The instructor occupied the rear seat, which is not equipped with wheel brakes and has only limited rudder control.
Aircraft and Crew
The owner/builder of the aircraft was a private pilot who occupied the front seat. An instructor, seated in the back, accompanied him for type conversion training. The aircraft, a tandem two-seat tail dragger, had accumulated 3 hours since construction. The instructor held a valid ATP licence with 18,000 total flying hours and 55 hours on type. The proving flight authority was issued on 29 May 2003, valid until 28 November 2003.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was a 180° turn that was made too wide, causing the left-hand landing gear to enter a rut next to the grass runway. This resulted in minor damage to the landing gear box structure. A contributory factor was the instructor's position in the back seat, which lacks wheel brakes and provides only limited rudder control.