Van's RV7A N20342

Summary

On 24 July 2018 at about 19:56 local time, a Van's RV7A registered N20342 was involved in an accident near Princeton, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 2018 at 19:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Princeton, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Princeton Municipal (PNM)

Coordinates

45.5597, -93.6083

Aircraft

Van's RV7A

Registration

N20342

Category

Airplane

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hazen → Princeton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18LA295

2 people were seriously injured.

A flat nosewheel tire, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control on landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight and decided to stop at an intermediate airport to refuel the airplane. When the airplane touched down, it swerved left, exited the side of the runway, struck a runway edge light, and then nosed over in soft terrain. Examination of the runway revealed that a long black line, which extended from the centerline to where the runway edge light was struck, was imprinted in the pavement. It is likely that the imprint was created by the chine that was pronounced on both sides of the tire. These ground signatures indicate that the nosewheel tire was likely flat upon touchdown, which led to the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control upon landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.