Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 accident near Auburn, WA
On June 6, 2024, a Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Auburn, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 6, 2024
- Place
- Auburn, WA
- Aircraft
- Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.312°N, 122.234°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240606194412
Official records · WPR24FA182
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 6, 2024, at about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Van’s Aircraft Inc. RV-12, N412JN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Auburn, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The experimental light-sport airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed from its base at Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), Auburn, Washington, for what family members of the pilot reported as a routine pleasure flight. The airplane was equipped with a Dynon Skyview Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). Data extracted from the EFIS indicated that shortly after takeoff the airplane followed a southeast track, and after reaching the eastern foothills of Mt. Rainier, entered a 180° right turn and followed a reciprocal track back to Auburn. As the airplane approached the airport from the east, the pilot reported over the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he was just over midfield and intended to make a full-stop landing on runway 35. Correlation between recorded CTAF audio and EFIS data indicated that over the next 60 seconds, the airplane overflew the runway while descending from 1,500 to 1,250 ft mean sea level (the airport elevation was 63 ft). It then began a left turn, and as it rolled out onto the left downwind leg, the pilot transmitted, “Pan Pan RV412JN, I just had a control failure, I’m inbound for 35, without any controls.” Over the next 45 seconds, the airplane began a descending left turn that witnesses described as similar to a spin or spiral dive. A west-facing
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper installation of the control stick pushrod assemblies, which resulted in separation of the left pushrod and a total loss of roll control during flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure to detect the installation error during the airplane’s construction, inspection, and subsequent maintenance.
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Browse: Washington · Vans aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
