What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On June 30, 2013, at 1324 EDT, an experimental Youngster Y-20 airplane, N258RV, registered to robert Vink and operated by a private pilot during the first test flight was substantially damaged when it struck trees while trying to ditch the airplane in a lake, due to loss of power on climbout. Day visual meterological conditions prevailed for the flight. The flight departed Grand Haven regional airport (3GM). After striking trees the aircraft came to rest at a private residence located in Grand Haven, MI. The pilot and sole occupant evacuated the aircraft on his own.
As the FAA filed it
ON JUNE 30, 2013, AT 1324 EDT, AN EXPERIMENTAL YOUNGSTER Y-20 AIRPLANE, N258RV, REGISTERED TO ROBERT VINK AND OPERATED BY A PRIVATE PILOT DURING THE FIRST TEST FLIGHT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK TREES WHILE TRYING TO DITCH THE AIRPLANE IN A LAKE, DUE TO LOSS OF POWER ON CLIMBOUT. DAY VISUAL METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED GRAND HAVEN REGIONAL AIRPORT (3GM). AFTER STRIKING TREES THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AT A PRIVATE RESIDENCE LOCATED IN GRAND HAVEN, MI. THE PILOT AND SOLE OCCUPANT EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT ON HIS OWN.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.