Vans RV7 - A accident near Surprise, AZ

On December 10, 2011, a Vans RV7 - A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Surprise, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

December 10, 2011

Place

Surprise, AZ

Aircraft

Vans RV7 - A · Airplane

Injuries

1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

33.707°N, 112.370°W

NTSB ID

20111210X64849

Official records · WPR12FA059

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Radar and ATC Summary – FAA FSDO: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC Communications Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC Audio Track (wav file): Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC and Radar Track: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• ATC Radar Data Track (kml file open with Google Earth): Document (KML), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 10, 2011, about 1258 mountain standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Van's RV7-A, N724WD, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Surprise, Arizona, shortly after the pilot reported a problem in cruise flight. The certificated private pilot, who was also the builder and owner of the airplane, was fatally injured. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot based the airplane at Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU), Glendale, Arizona, in a hangar that he shared with two other RV owners. According to information provided by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel, the airplane departed GEU about 1226. Luke Air Force Base (LUF), Glendale, was situated about 5 miles west of GEU. Review of LUF ground tracking radar data revealed that the entire flight was captured by the radar system. The LUF radar first acquired the airplane at 1227:27, as it was climbing through an altitude of 1,300 feet above mean sea level (msl), and broadcasting a beacon code of 1200 on its transponder. The airplane flew about 25 miles to the northwest of GEU, maneuvered for a short time, and then began tracking back towards GEU. The flight altitude varied irregularly between about 2,700 and 3,300 feet msl. About 1255:50, when it was about 12 miles northwest of GEU, the airplane began decelerating from its 100-knot ground speed. The airplane slowed to about 60 knots and began a descent. About 1256

Probable cause

An electrical or engine electronic problem, which resulted in a loss of engine power, followed by a low-altitude stall.

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Browse: Arizona · Vans aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.