5) BUZZING / ACRO, C-FIT

Vans RV-8A | N627TT

December 4th, 2024 | Fort Blackmore, Virginia

Accident Location

  • City: Fort Blackmore
  • State: Virginia
  • Latitude: 36.776773
  • Longitude: -82.583361
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N627TT
  • Make: Vans
  • Model: RV-8A
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: Yes

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Nelms, Bradley Scott
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 54
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: None
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: December 4th, 2024
  • Time: 2:55 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Go-Around
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities:
  • Ground Fatalities:
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 5) BUZZING / ACRO, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot performed low level aerobatic flight for family and friends who were watching at this private airstrip. A witness recorded a video of the accident airplane as it maneuvered over the airstrip. The video depicted the airplane flying low over the turf runway before entering a short, gradual, climb. Shortly after the climb initiated, the airplane began a roll to the right that continued to an inverted attitude, after which the nose of the airplane pitched toward the ground and the airplane descended to ground impact.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft refrain from impromptu low level airshow performance, especially where friend’s and family are known to be watching. All aerobatic flight should be conducted at a safe altitude, and only after an extensive amount of aerobatic flight training.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.