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RV Accident Statistics

The following statistics were compiled by RV-6A builder Mel Jordon and published with his gracious permission. Here is Mel's explanation of the purpose and correct use of these stats:

"I have thought carefully about posting the following statistics. I was concerned that these be seen as information that we should all understand, so that we can use them to improve, not as any sort of criticism of the wonderful airplanes we are building and flying or those pilots that have experienced a challenge they could not master at that particular moment. That said, I would like to present some data so that we can objectively gauge the challenges facing us, and decide how best to focus our attentions
and energies.

Over the past months I have monitored the NTSB accident database. What I have done is to read all accident reports pertaining to our RV aircraft and capture certain information from each accident. Date, aircraft model, severity, if a stall spin was involved and some sort of "root cause" of the accident. Only one "root cause" per accident is listed. Of course, some degree of decision needed to be made to classify the "root cause", and others may classify the accidents somewhat differently. However, this is my best effort to provide categories that tended to repeat and form patterns.

What emerged were indications of the key issues that we need to think about as we pursue our pastime and clearly shows the need for much more adequate and available pilot training. The largest number of accidents occurred during take-off and landing, and were simply classified as "loss of control". This clearly supports the need for the FAA, EAA and us to try to find a solution that allows builder to learn to properly handle this strong and responsive breed of craft.

Notable were the number of accident related to engine failure in RV-4 and RV-6 aircraft. This will take more study to determine if any pattern may emerge. We all know fuel management can be a problem, and the statistics confirm that. Perhaps the most alarming statistic was the number of fatal accidents that occurred due to low level aerobatics and subsequent loss of control.

Of course, to really understand the statistics, one needs additional data such as the number of each model flying and the hours flown. The RV-4 had a high number of accidents, but also probably has the most flight hours due to the age of the design. So I would warn against trying to draw too much detail from the data presented here. But this does give us some specific things to consider and ponder, hopefully leading us to properly prepare for our flight, and avoid these common issues. On a positive note, this is certainly one strong design. Remarkable was the absence of airframe failures due to poor workmanship in the construction. Obviously this is the mark of a robust design, one that protects the pilot and passenger in all but very severe accidents."

Many thanks go to Mel for the considerable expenditure of effort and time required for the compilation of this info. We hope this will be helpful in encouraging all of us to "Think Safety".

FROM NTSB ACCIDENT DATA BASE FOR PERIOD 3/11/83 THROUGH 7/10/99

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