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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 31, 2012 · Walters RV-8 · N808WW

Hutchinson, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2012
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Hutchinson, MN
Aircraft
Walters RV-8
Tail Number
N808WW
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA333

The pilot was landing the airplane with excessive speed. The airplane touched down 2,200 feet down the 4,000-foot-long runway. When the tailwheel touched down, the airplane began to veer off of the runway. The pilot stated that the tailwheel became "squirrelly." The pilot added engine power while attempting to return to the runway surface. He then pitched the airplane's nose up to avoid an airport lighting aid at a speed that was too low to maintain flight. The airplane settled back to the ground and impacted the terrain. Postaccident examination of the tailwheel and flight controls revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the landing attempt, his failure to maintain directional control, and his delayed attempted aborted landing at an airspeed that was too low, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 2012, at 1550 central daylight time, a Walters RV-8, N808WW, departed runway 33 and impacted terrain during an aborted landing at Hutchinson Municipal Airport-Butler Field (HCD), Hutchinson, Minnesota. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was destined for HCD. The pilot stated that the final approach to landing was normal and maybe a "little fast," at an airspeed of about 80 knots. He said that he maintained flight over the runway to bleed off speed. When the main landing gear touched, the airplane rolled out down the runway. He said that the tail "got squirrelly" when it touched down during the rollout. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and he tried to return the airplane back to the runway. He added full engine power while attempting to return to the runway and noticed a bank of lights ahead. He "jerked" the control stick back in an attempt to get the airplane to fly. The airplane lifted off at a high pitch attitude, and as it was airborne, he tried three times to move the control stick forward. During the third control input on the control stick, the wing stalled and dipped. The airplane impacted the ground at a "very low" pitch attitude, cartwheeled, and came to rest on the landing gear. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane touched down about 2,200 feet down runway 33 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). The airplane veered off about 3,100 feet down runway 33. Examination of the tailwheel revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the flight controls confirmed flight control continuity.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 CDT
Nearest AirportHutchinson Municipal Airport-B (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWalters RV-8
Tail NumberN808WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSuperior · XP-IO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data