Vans RV9 accident near Zeeland, MI

On September 19, 2020, a Vans RV9 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Zeeland, MI. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

September 19, 2020

Place

Zeeland, MI

Aircraft

Vans RV9 · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

42.824°N, 85.924°W

NTSB ID

20200919X75934

Official records · CEN20LA399

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

Air traffic control records

• Pilot's Text Communication Of Circuit Card Repair: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Pilot Email Communication Of Circuit Card Repair: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Air Traffic Control Ads-B Information: Document (XLSX), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 19, 2020, about 0638 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV9A, N94KJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Zeeland, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) was recorded, and captured transmissions from the accident pilot that included taxi to and departure from runway 20. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach for runway 02. No further transmissions from the pilot were recorded. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) information captured the airplane depart about 0633. After climbing on a southeasterly heading, the airplane turned back toward the airport. The airplane crossed the runway threshold at 95 knots and 200 ft above ground level (agl), then climbed and turned right toward the northeast. The last recorded information showed the airplane turning left on an approximate left base for runway 20 at 50 knots and 400 ft agl. (See Figure 1.) Surveillance video showed that the airplane pitched up and begin spinning to the right until ground impact; a post-impact fire ensued. Figure 1. Flight Track of Airplane PERSONNEL INFORMATIONA review of pilot logs revealed about 15 flight hours of flight experience at night. The pilot’s most recent night landing occurred on October 18, 2015, and he had not flown the accident airplane at night. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe pilot recorded remarks in his logbook tha

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a visual approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience at night.

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• Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14, Dec 3, 1990

Browse: Michigan · 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.