Amateur-built RV8 N102CM accident near Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing, as the main gear touched down, a wind gust "carried" the airplane off the right side of the runway. He added that, when the nose gear touched down, it sunk into the soft ground, and the airplane "flipped over on its back."

The airplane sustained substantial damage to its canopy and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that the weather at the accident site about the time of the accident was wind from 330° at 12 knots, gusting to about 20 knots. The pilot landed on runway 06.

An automated weather observation system about 14 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 310° at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA316 for the full record.