Harding Joel VANS RV-8

Aircraft Manufacturer: Harding Joel

Model: VANS RV-8

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Harding Joel
Manufacturer Serial Number 0561982
Model VANS RV-8
Category Land
Builder Certification Not Type Certificated
Aircraft Type Fixed wing single engine
Weight Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight)
Engine Type Reciprocating
Number of Engines 1 engine
Number of Seats 2 seats
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Safety Analysis

Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.

100%
Identity Confirmed

Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).


7 exact, 5 recovered, 0 provisional

Methodology
12
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


1 fatal accidents.

8.3% of recorded accidents were fatal.

280
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


3,854

Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).


Comparison

Within its peer cohort

Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).

This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →

Model class Share of cohort
Accidents
0.3%
Exposure
0.4%
Time series

Accidents by year

Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →

2010 – 2025 Total 12
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 12 observed): 2010 1, 2011 3, 2017 4, 2021 1, 2022 1, 2023 1, 2025 1. 2 4 6 8 0 1 '10 3 '11 4 '17 1 '21 1 '22 1 '23 1 '25
Composition

Phase of flight

Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.

7 categories Total 12
Landing 3
Takeoff 2
Enroute 2
Maneuvering 2
Taxi 1
Initial climb 1
Approach 1
Causes

Finding category

Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.

NTSB top-level codes Total 29
Personnel issues 12
Aircraft 10
Environmental issues 4
Not determined 3
Outcomes

Injury severity

NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.

Highest per accident Total 12
Minor 5
None 5
Fatal 1
Serious 1

Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (12)

Recorded Accidents

All 12 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Hollister, CA N926DT Minor Serious Landing unknown
Umatilla, FL N772KS Substantial Minor Initial climb Not determined
Oshkosh, WI N694V Minor None Taxi Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Watkins, CO N51LV Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Othello, WA N8432 Substantial None Takeoff Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Orange, MA N184SJ Substantial Minor Approach Personnel issues, Aircraft
Vacaville, CA N184ME Substantial Minor Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Marysville, CA N470LM Substantial Minor Enroute Not determined, Aircraft
Armistead, CA N948RC Substantial Fatal Maneuvering Aircraft, Personnel issues
Madera, CA N427EF Substantial None Maneuvering Personnel issues
Sheridan, WY N4546Y Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Prague, OK N127TT Substantial Minor Enroute Aircraft, Not determined
Data presented on this website is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. To ensure accuracy, we try not to correct issues such as improper punctuation, spelling errors, empty fields, or unusual labels like "SALE REPORTED" for a registrant. We make every effort to present information as it appears in the FAA database. This website is not affiliated with any government agency.