Summary
On April 17, 2008, a Murphy Aircraft Murphy Rebel (N3VK) was involved in an incident near Grass Valley, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land the tail wheel equipped airplane on an upsloping runway. The airplane touched down normally on the asphalt runway surface. During the landing roll the airplane began to ground loop. The pilot added power in an effort to recover and the airplane continued off the runway surface. The airplane encountered a ditch and incurred damage to the left fuselage structure.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He added that the wind conditions were light and variable.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX08CA114. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3VK.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to land the tail wheel equipped airplane on an upsloping runway. The airplane touched down normally on the asphalt runway surface. During the landing roll the airplane began to ground loop. The pilot added power in an effort to recover and the airplane continued off the runway surface. The airplane encountered a ditch and incurred damage to the left fuselage structure.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He added that the wind conditions were light and variable. In the section titled RECOMMENDATION (How could this accident have been prevented) of the pilot's written report (NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that he should have first practiced landings at the departure airport, as it had been awhile since he had flown. He noted in the same section that most of his flight time was conducted with landings on grass strips, where the airplane maneuvers differently than the asphalt.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA114