Van's VANS RV-12 N277E

Summary

On 14 April 2019 at about 15:30 local time, a Van's VANS RV-12 registered N277E was involved in an accident near Wall, South Dakota, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 April 2019 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wall, South Dakota, United States

Nearest airport

Wall Muni (6V4)

Coordinates

43.9994, -102.2547

Aircraft

Van's VANS RV-12

Registration

N277E

Category

Airplane

Year built

2014

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rapid City → Wall

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA217

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper decision to depart from a slush-covered runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and a subsequent nose-over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a snow- and slush-covered runway, he decided to stay on the right half of the runway. He added that, as the airplane began to rotate and the nose landing gear lifted off the runway, the left main landing gear encountered some slush. The airplane veered left about 15° and exited the runway to the left, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.