Van's RV8 N44LA

Summary

On 8 June 2020 at about 16:00 local time, a Van's RV8 registered N44LA was involved in an accident near Sulfer, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 June 2020 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sulfer, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Southland Field (UXL)

Coordinates

30.1339, -93.3778

Aircraft

Van's RV8

Registration

N44LA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Leesville → Sulfer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA220

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of directional control as a result of a fractured landing gear attach bracket.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while landing his tailwheel airplane on runway 15 with gusty winds from 250°, there was a slight bounce when he touched the runway with the right tire. As the left main tire touched down, he felt the left side of the airplane "drop suddenly." As the airplane continued down the runway, it began to veer to the left. He applied full right rudder and right brake, which kept the airplane on the runway for several hundred feet before directional control could no longer be maintained. The airplane exited the runway and nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the right elevator. A post-accident examination revealed a fractured left landing gear inboard attach bracket. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.