N8JLVans Aircraft RV-8 · 2001

On March 29, 2015, about 1330 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-8, N8JL, and an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6, N722DK, collided in midair while maneuvering over the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport (TCL), Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The RV-8 was substantially damaged and the RV-6 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes subsequently landed without further incident. The pilot of the RV-8 and the pilot of the RV-6 were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed no flight plan had been filed for the local demonstration flight that was conducted under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Both airplanes were part of "Team Aerodynamix" an air show team that was participating in the Tuscaloosa Regional Air Show.

At the time of the accident, the RV-6 and another airplane were flying in formation at an altitude of 500 ft above runway 04/22, while the pilot of the RV-8 intended to circle around the two airplanes from behind. An additional group of team airplanes were flying in the opposite direction. While circling in a counter-clockwise direction, the RV-8 converged on the two airplanes flying in formation, and the propeller of the RV-6, which was flying on the right side of the formation, and the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer of the RV-8 made contact.

The pilot of the RV-6 reported that the maneuver called for the trailing/circling airplane to be 100 ft behind the leading airplane. He was flying straight and level and focused on the airplane flying in formation on his left side, when his airplane began to experience a sudden severe vibration. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that portions of the propeller were missing.

The pilot of the RV-8 reported that the maneuver had been practiced many times previously. He began rolling to the left while positioned about 4 to 5 airplane lengths behind the two airplanes. During his third roll, his airplane had overtaken the airplanes flying in formation during the final one-fourth to one-half of the roll. The pilot added that he "didn't correct to compensate." He observed one of the airplanes pass off his left and heard a "bang" at that time. Postaccident examination of the RV-8 revealed that the outboard one-third of the right horizontal stabilizer, and the outboard two-thirds of the right elevator were separated.