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GAA18CA548

2018-09-11 · Carson, Nevada, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CXP

Current FAA registration · N289MM

Make / Model
VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-8
Year of manufacture
2006 · 12 years old at event
Engine
AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20060822
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A2F089

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting, right quartering tailwind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane was "slightly fast", touched down "firm" on the runway and bounced. He increased the engine power to cushion the subsequent landing, but the airplane touched down "left wing low" and pointed to the right. He then corrected with opposite rudder and brake, but airplane veered right, and exited the runway to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots, gusting 20 knots. The airplane landed on runway 09. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane was "slightly fast," touched down "firm" on the runway, and then bounced. He increased the engine power to cushion the subsequent landing, but the airplane touched down "left wing low" and pointed right. He then corrected with opposite rudder and brake, but the airplane veered right and exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 240° at 9 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 09. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA548.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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