Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS accident near Big Pine Key, FL

On February 27, 2022, a Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS (airplane) was involved in an accident near Big Pine Key, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

February 27, 2022

Place

Big Pine Key, FL

Aircraft

Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12IS · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

24.922°N, 81.581°W

NTSB ID

20220304104722

Official records · ERA22LA142

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

NTSB summary

On February 27, 2022, about 0958 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-12IS, N123RR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident about 20 miles northwest of Big Pine Key, Florida. The sport pilot and passenger have not been located. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was reported overdue to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on February 28, 2022, after the sport pilot did not report to work. The vertical stabilizer and right horizontal stabilizer were located by the US Coast Guard on March 4, 2022. As of the publication of this report, no other sections of the airplane have been located. According to a friend of the sport pilot, who kept his airplane in an adjacent hangar, they planned to complete a flight of two to Key West, Florida (EYW). Prior to departure, the friend discussed using Everglades City, Florida (X01) in case they had to divert due to weather. Although they were cruising at 6,500 ft msl, the friend had to descend to 1,500 ft msl to remain below a broken cloud layer. He advised the sport pilot that he was diverting to Marathon, Florida (MTH) and encouraged him several times via radio to do the same; however, the sport pilot stated that he was descending from 6,500 ft msl to 4,500 ft msl and continuing to EYW. That was the last communication the friend received from the sport pilot. The friend added that the sport pilot usually checked weather via a ForeFlight app on his phone; however, review of flight service and ForeFlight records did not reveal any we

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning and his improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into an area of limited visibility in moderate precipitation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.

More accidents in FL

• Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
• Beech B90, Jan 5, 1994
• Beech B-90, Sep 3, 1999
• Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
• Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47, Jun 7, 2012

Browse: Florida · Vans aircraft

See it on the map

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