Vans Aircraft RV-8 accident near Hurricane, Utah, February 28, 2026
On February 28, 2026 at about 5:05 pm local time, a 2016 Vans Aircraft RV-8, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N80AR, was substantially damaged in an accident during uncontrolled descent near Hurricane, Utah. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2026 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Hurricane, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Vans Aircraft RV-8, built 2016, amateur-built · all RV-8s on the register
- Registration
- N80AR · registry record · serial 83093
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 28, 2026, at about 1005 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built, Vans Aircraft, RV-8, N80AR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hurricane, Utah. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Pilot rated witnesses reported that the pilot was participating in a formation flying event, which was staged out of Saint George Regional Airport (SGU), Saint George, Utah. During the accident flight, the accident airplane was number two position of a flight of five. The pilot rated witnesses stated that they were flying about 500 ft above ground level (agl), at an airspeed of about 130 mph in an extended trail formation with about 800-1,000 ft of spacing between the airplanes. The pilots who were in trail of the accident airplane reported that they observed the airplane pitch upward and roll to the left. The witnesses stated that the pilot appeared to attempt to recover from the roll, and that the airplane was in a wings level attitude before it impacted terrain. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted gradual up sloping desert terrain on a heading of 200° magnetic, at an elevation of 4,538 ft mean sea level. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a ground scar, about 30 ft in length and 15 ft wide, which contained propeller blades, engine cowling, and fragments of the rudder. The debris path was about 247 ft in length, and about 70 ft wide, oriented on a heading of about 200° magnetic from the FIPC to the main wreckage. The second ground disturbance, about 6 ft by 4 ft in diameter, was about 176 ft from the FIPC and contained various non-secured items from inside the airplane. A third ground disturbance, which consisted of an area of displaced dirt, was observed about 199 ft from the FIPC and extended to the main wreckage. The fuselage came to rest inverted on a heading of about 175° magnetic. The instrument panel, engine, and engine mount, were located in an upright position. All major structural components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during uncontrolled descent defining event
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: SGU St George UT
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 10:00 am from KAZC, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAZC 281655Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A3019 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
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.