Merian Richard F RV 8 N8JL
29 March 2015 · Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 29 March 2015 at about 18:30 local time, a Merian Richard F RV 8 registered N8JL was involved in an accident near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
- Nearest airport
- Tuscaloosa Rgnl (TCL)
- Coordinates
- 33.2206, -87.6114
- Aircraft
- Merian Richard F RV 8
- Registration
- N8JL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2001
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Air Race/Show
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Tuscaloosa → Tuscaloosa
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ERA15LA172
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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 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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merian Richard F RV 8 | N8JL | - | Substantial |
| Kight Daniel H RV 6 | N722DK | - | Minor |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 2015 | P&M PULSR | Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 2015 | Weatherly 201B | Pell City, Alabama, United States | Cobb Aerial Solutions LLC | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 2015 | Hughes 269B | Hartford, Alabama, United States | Eagel Aviation Academy | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 2015 | Diamond DA 20 C1 | Sylacauga, Alabama, United States | Falcon Aviation Academy | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 2015 | Bell 47G 3B 1 | Camden, Alabama, United States | Ewing Flying Service LLC | No injuries | - |
| 11 Jul 2015 | Cessna A185F | Dauphin Island, Alabama, United States | - | No injuries | - |