Vans RV8 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 23 events recorded from 2010 to 2025.

23

All Events

10

Incidents

3

Minor

4

Serious

5

Fatal (6 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 17, 2025 McKinney, TX N3545W Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Dec 10, 2024 Smithville, TX N42CS Serious (1) substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 08, 2024 Cleveland, GA N69LM Minor substantial A nose landing gear collapse on landing and subsequent nose over.
Aug 15, 2024 Guthrie, OK N184DC Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to the separation and ingestion of an air filter retaining bracket into the engine cylinder.
Jul 06, 2024 Atwater, MN N312FM Minor substantial The pilot’s inability to stop the landing roll on a wet grass runway which resulted in a runway overrun.
Dec 16, 2023 Corona, CA N6948L Fatal (1) substantial Fuel contamination from the pilot’s improper application of a sealant to the fuel tank, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on takeoff.
Jul 01, 2023 Metaline Falls, WA N68TP Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing due to impact with a concrete ring embedded in the grass runway.
Dec 04, 2021 Wichita Falls, TX N421RT Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s improper fuel management that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Sep 27, 2021 Hyvinkää, OF OH-XRV Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 03, 2021 Delray, FL N388RV Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Jun 13, 2020 Mandan, ND N836JC Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss …

The pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff and collision with terrain.

Jun 12, 2020 Hampton, GA N553KM Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s excessive maneuvering at low altitude following a partial loss of engine power which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with t…

The pilot’s excessive maneuvering at low altitude following a partial loss of engine power which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

Jun 08, 2020 Sulfer, LA N44LA Minor substantial A loss of directional control as a result of a fractured landing gear attach bracket.
May 21, 2020 Hampton, GA N665HM Incident substantial
A right main landing gear break malfunction during landing. Contributing to the accident was a worn right main landing gear caliper pin and pressure p…

A right main landing gear break malfunction during landing. Contributing to the accident was a worn right main landing gear caliper pin and pressure plate hole.

Mar 04, 2020 Harrison, OH N878DZ Incident substantial
The malfunction of the steerable tailwheel, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent impact with the pre…

The malfunction of the steerable tailwheel, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent impact with the precision approach path indicator lights system.

Feb 15, 2020 Columbus, MS N7736T Incident destroyed The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.
Jun 29, 2019 Joplin, MO N678LL Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
Apr 18, 2019 Brookings, OR N791PF Fatal (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an aggressive maneuver that resulted in a nose down collision with terrain.
Jan 12, 2019 Langley, WA N800KE Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic s…

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.

Oct 12, 2018 Culpeper, VA N804RL Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's loss of attitude orientation while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact wi…

The pilot's loss of attitude orientation while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.

Jan 24, 2016 Chiang Mai, TH HS-GMC Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 21, 2011 Locust Grove, GA N190GE Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll.
Jul 10, 2010 Port Orange, FL N801RG Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
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