Amateur-built VANS RV-8A accident near Lucas, Kansas, July 28, 2013
On July 28, 2013 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 2009 amateur-built VANS RV-8A, registered N131RP, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Lucas, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2013 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lucas, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV-8A, built 2009
- Registration
- N131RP · no longer on the register · serial 82632
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noninstrument-rated pilot was flying the accident airplane in a trail formation behind another airplane as the airplanes maneuvered between cloud layers about 7,500 feet mean sea level. The lead airplane pilot estimated that the cloud layers were at least 4,000 feet above and 1,000 feet below the airplanes and that visibility was about 4 to 5 miles. While en route, the accident pilot lost sight of the lead airplane and asked the lead pilot to relay his heading. The lead pilot reported his heading and indicated that he saw the accident airplane about 1 mile behind and 800 feet below the lead airplane (about 200 feet above the lower cloud layer). Shortly after, the accident pilot again asked for the lead airplane's heading, and the lead pilot reported his altitude but could not visually acquire the accident airplane. No further radio transmissions were received from the accident pilot. A witness reported hearing the airplanes circling overhead, the sound of impact, and then one airplane flying overhead. He added that the weather was rain and low clouds. Ground scar and airplane damage were consistent with the accident airplane impacting terrain in a 60-degree left turn at high speed. The accident pilot's last aviation medical examination occurred about 11 1/2 years before the accident. On the medical application, the pilot reported that he was being treated for coronary artery disease. This medical certificate was not valid for any class 2 years later, and no record was found indicating whether the pilot had obtained another medical certificate. The condition of the pilot's body did not allow for a thorough autopsy, and medical impairment could not be determined. Due to the airplane's last known proximity to a cloud layer, it is likely that the pilot was attempting to visually acquire the other airplane while he descended into a cloud layer. The pilot's inadvertent and unexpected entry into instrument meteorological conditions likely resulted in his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Clouds › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 430 hours in all; 130 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-390 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8K8 Larned KS
- Destination: Atlantic IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft; ovct at 400 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KRSL, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.