Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 29, 2015 · Merian Richard F RV 8 · N8JL

Tuscaloosa, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
Aircraft
Merian Richard F RV 8 (2001)
Tail Number
N8JL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA15LA172

The two experimental amateur-built airplanes were part of an air show team that was participating in an air show. At the time of the accident, an RV-6 and another airplane were flying in formation at an altitude of 500 ft above the ground, while the pilot of an RV-8 intended to circle around the two airplanes from behind. While circling in a counter-clockwise direction, the RV-8 converged on the two airplanes flying in formation. The propeller of the RV-6, and the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer of the RV-8 made contact. The pilot of the RV-6 reported that the maneuver called for the RV-8 to be 100 ft behind the leading airplane. He was flying straight and level and focused on the airplane flying in formation on his left side when his airplane began to experience a sudden severe vibration. The pilot of the RV-8 reported that his airplane had overtaken the two airplanes and that he did not correct to compensate. He observed one of the airplanes pass off his left and heard a "bang" at that time. The RV-6 sustained minor damage to its propeller and the RV-8 sustained substantial damage to its right elevator and horizontal stabilizer. Both airplanes subsequently landed without further incident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The RV-8 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the RV-6 while maneuvering during an air show, which resulted in a midair collision.

Full Narrative

On March 29, 2015, about 1330 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-8, N8JL, and an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6, N722DK, collided in midair while maneuvering over the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport (TCL), Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The RV-8 was substantially damaged and the RV-6 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes subsequently landed without further incident. The pilot of the RV-8 and the pilot of the RV-6 were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed no flight plan had been filed for the local demonstration flight that was conducted under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Both airplanes were part of "Team Aerodynamix" an air show team that was participating in the Tuscaloosa Regional Air Show. At the time of the accident, the RV-6 and another airplane were flying in formation at an altitude of 500 ft above runway 04/22, while the pilot of the RV-8 intended to circle around the two airplanes from behind. An additional group of team airplanes were flying in the opposite direction. While circling in a counter-clockwise direction, the RV-8 converged on the two airplanes flying in formation, and the propeller of the RV-6, which was flying on the right side of the formation, and the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer of the RV-8 made contact. The pilot of the RV-6 reported that the maneuver called for the trailing/circling airplane to be 100 ft behind the leading airplane. He was flying straight and level and focused on the airplane flying in formation on his left side, when his airplane began to experience a sudden severe vibration. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that portions of the propeller were missing. The pilot of the RV-8 reported that the maneuver had been practiced many times previously. He began rolling to the left while positioned about 4 to 5 airplane lengths behind the two airplanes. During his third roll, his airplane had overtaken the airplanes flying in formation during the final one-fourth to one-half of the roll. The pilot added that he "didn't correct to compensate." He observed one of the airplanes pass off his left and heard a "bang" at that time. Postaccident examination of the RV-8 revealed that the outboard one-third of the right horizontal stabilizer, and the outboard two-thirds of the right elevator were separated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportTuscaloosa Rgnl (0nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMerian Richard F RV 8
Tail NumberN8JL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsEci · DIOX-370 · Reciprocating · 205 | Lycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data