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Accidents · NTSB ERA09LA302 · Final report

Amateur-built RV-8 and Nanchang China CJ-6A mid-air collision near Decatur, Alabama, May 23, 2009

On May 23, 2009 at about 6:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, amateur-built RV-8 (N875MH) and Nanchang China CJ-6A (N81817), were involved in a mid-air collision near Decatur, Alabama (Pryor Field). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The RV-8 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the CJ-6A while maneuvering. This report was modified on September 10, 2010.
The RV-8 pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the CJ-6A while maneuvering. This report was modified on September 10, 2010.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 23, 2009 · about 6:15 pm local time · cases in 2009
Place
Decatur, Alabama · Pryor Field · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident · mid-air collision
Injuries
1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft 1
Amateur-built RV-8
Registration
N875MH · registry record · serial 81687
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
Aircraft 2
Nanchang China CJ-6A · all CJ-6As on the register
Registration
N81817 · registry record · serial 2851260
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built RV-8 final · quoted from the NTSB record

This report was modified on September 10, 2010. Both pilots were friends and neighbors who were visiting an airport open house. Prior to returning to their home airport, the pilots discussed if they would be flying home together or separately. The pilot of the RV-8 decided to fly home separately, departed first, and performed some aerobatics near the airport traffic pattern. As the pilot of the CJ-6A prepared to depart, a photographer asked him to make some low passes over the runway, so that the photographer could take pictures. The CJ-6A took off and remained in the left airport traffic pattern. As the CJ-6A turned from base leg to final leg, the pilot of the RV-8 radioed via the common traffic advisory frequency that he was at the CJ-6A's 6 o'clock position, but did not provide distance information. He then radioed that he was at the CJ-6A's 4 o'clock position and again did not provide distance information. The CJ-6A then began a pass over the runway at approximately 200 feet above ground level. During that time, the RV-8 closed on the CJ-6A "dramatically," in excess of 30 knots, from above and behind. About the midpoint of the runway, the pilot of the CJ-6A began a climbing right turn. The RV-8's left wing then hit the CJ-6A, partially separating it. The RV-8 subsequently descended uncontrolled and impacted terrain.

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 NTSB's narrative for the Nanchang China CJ-6A final · quoted from the NTSB record

This report was modified on September 10, 2010. Both pilots were friends and neighbors who were visiting an airport open house. Prior to returning to their home airport, the pilots discussed if they would be flying home together or separately. The pilot of the RV-8 decided to fly home separately, departed first, and performed some aerobatics near the airport traffic pattern. As the pilot of the CJ-6A prepared to depart, a photographer asked him to make some low passes over the runway, so that the photographer could take pictures. The CJ-6A took off and remained in the left airport traffic pattern. As the CJ-6A turned from base leg to final leg, the pilot of the RV-8 radioed via the common traffic advisory frequency that he was at the CJ-6A's 6 o'clock position, but did not provide distance information. He then radioed that he was at the CJ-6A's 4 o'clock position and again did not provide distance information. The CJ-6A then began a pass over the runway at approximately 200 feet above ground level. During that time, the RV-8 closed on the CJ-6A "dramatically," in excess of 30 knots, from above and behind. About the midpoint of the runway, the pilot of the CJ-6A began a climbing right turn. The RV-8's left wing then hit the CJ-6A, partially separating it. The RV-8 subsequently descended uncontrolled and impacted terrain.

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 for the amateur-built RV-8 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 769 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: frt
  • Injury: fatal

The aircraft

  • Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-390-X (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: DCU Decatur AL at 6:05 pm
  • Destination: 5AL5 Muscle Shoals AL
  • Flight plan: none

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 080° at 6 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
  • Observation at 6:53 pm from DCU

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

The factual record for the Nanchang China CJ-6A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 3,600 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: frt
  • Injury: minor injuries

The aircraft

  • Maximum gross weight: 3,080 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: DCU Decatur AL at 6:10 pm
  • Destination: 5AL5 Muscle Shoals AL
  • Flight plan: none

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

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The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA09LA302.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.