Amateur-built VANS AIRCRAFT RV-8 N811JR accident near Pecos, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.

NTSB analysis

As the pilot approached his destination airport, he listened to the airport’s automated weather reporting station. As he flew over the airfield, he noticed that the wind indicators showed that the wind was from a different direction than what was reported from the automated weather station. He then listened to the reporting station again and learned that the updated report agreed with the wind direction indicators on the airfield. The pilot then selected a runway for the landing approach based on the prevailing wind. The pilot reported that the landing and landing roll were straight and without complications; however, about three-quarters through the landing roll, he felt a large wind gust on the right side of the airplane. The pilot said that he did not have enough rudder authority to overcome the effect of the wind and that the airplane did a 180-degree left turn. During the 180-degree turn, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage near the main landing gear attachment point.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA292 for the full record.