Amateur-built RV-8 N184DJ accident near Scio, Oregon

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to perform a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver and his improper execution of the maneuver, which resulted in impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

Relatives of the pilot said the pilot would often conduct low-altitude flights and perform aerobatic maneuvers over their home. They stated that on the day of the accident, the pilot overflew their home and made a total of three passes. During the third pass, the relatives estimated the airplane was about 100 ft above the ground flying from north to south when it entered a barrel roll and descended out of sight behind trees, where it impacted the ground. The family members stated that they thought the pilot started the maneuver lower than normal and that the maneuver was not flown smoothly. They described hearing the engine running steady and did not hear anything abnormal before the accident. Flight data from an onboard flight instrument and a separate witness video corroborated the relatives’ statements. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot had used cannabis; its inactive metabolite THC-COOH was detected in his heart blood and lung tissue. No active THC was found in his blood or lung tissue. While the pilot’s pattern of cannabis use is unknown, given the lack of psychoactive THC or 11-OH-THC in his blood, it is unlikely that the pilot was under the influence of THC.

Toxicology testing also detected diphenhydramine in the pilot’s liver tissue. While diphenhydramine carries a warning about the potential for mental and physical impairment in performing hazardous activities, there was no drug found in his blood. Thus, effects from the pilot’s use of diphenhydramine were not a factor in this accident.

The accident is consistent with the pilot electing to conduct an ostentatious flight display at low altitude and his subsequent failure to perform a rolling aerobatic maneuver correctly, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22FA312 for the full record.