Van's RV-12 N29CA

Summary

On 24 June 2010 at about 13:10 local time, a Van's RV-12 registered N29CA was involved in an accident near Salida, Colorado, United States. One person was 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

24 June 2010 at 13:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Salida, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Harriet Alexander Field (ANK)

Coordinates

38.5381, -106.0486

Aircraft

Van's RV-12

Registration

N29CA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Salida → Salida

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10CA342

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s incorrect elevator trim setting and his inexperience in the airplane make/model.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the experimental Light-Sport Airplane (LSA) accelerated down the runway for its first flight, the airplane’s nose suddenly pitched up approximately 60 degrees. The pilot attempted to lower the nose by applying forward control stick pressure, but to no avail. The airplane stalled, pitched nose down, and impacted the ground, resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear and structural damage to the firewall. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. The pilot later reported that he had incorrectly set the airplane’s elevator trim, which resulted in the uncommanded pitch up as the airplane approached flying speed. In addition, the pilot reported that this was his first flight in the airplane make/model.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.