Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB WPR12FA062
CROSLEY VANS RV-8 — Armistead, CA
| Date | December 10, 2011 |
| Location | Armistead, CA |
| Aircraft | CROSLEY VANS RV-8 (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-aerobatics Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 65 |
| Pilot total time | 2,800 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing low altitude aerobatic maneuvers.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
Multiple witnesses located near the accident site reported observing the accident airplane flying over their position about 130 feet above the ground followed by it performing several barrel rolls. The airplane was observed making a 180-degree turn when it initiated a loop at a low altitude. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude before the maneuver was completed. Witnesses further reported that the engine seemed to be developing power at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.