Amateur-built RV8A accident near Carlsbad, California, August 1, 2010
On August 1, 2010 at about 11:00 pm local time, a amateur-built RV8A, registered N525JH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Carlsbad, California (Mcclellan - Palomar Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks and failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s diverted attention due to the open canopy.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2010 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Carlsbad, California · Mcclellan - Palomar Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV8A
- Registration
- N525JH · registry record · serial 81824
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, at the time of rotation, the canopy started to slide rearward. As the pilot attempted to close the canopy the airplane nosed over and the propeller struck the runway, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by conducting a “second check of proper canopy closure prior to entering [the] runway.” The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 372 hours in all; 108 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 274 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 28, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 270 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 23, 2009; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior XP360 A1C2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: O61 Cameron Park CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,897 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from CRQ
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.