Van's RV-12IS N46TB

Summary

On 24 February 2026 at about 15:48 local time, a Van's RV-12IS registered N46TB, operated by Pilotsmith Flight Academy, was involved in an accident near Appleton, Wisconsin, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 February 2026 at 15:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Appleton, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Appleton International (ATW)

Coordinates

44.2583, -88.5207

Aircraft

Van's RV-12IS

Registration

N46TB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2025

Engines

1

Operator

Pilotsmith Flight Academy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Juneau → Appleton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN26LA125

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that during the landing, the wind shifted from a headwind and the airspeed dropped. He directed the pilot receiving instruction to increase engine power; however, the pilot’s response was delayed. The flight instructor attempted to correct by adding engine power, but the airplane stalled and landed hard. During the hard landing, the left wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and lift strut. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot receiving instruction was landing the airplane on runway 12 with wind from 180° at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.