# NTSB ERA22LA374: Vans RV-12, N33EV, Westfield, MA, August 16, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 16, 2022, 08:05 local (12:05 UTC) - Place: Westfield, MA - Coordinates: 42.159405, -72.71517 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1594&lon=-72.7152&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA374 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105748/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105748 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA374 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while taxiing for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was holding short of the runway for an intersection departure and once he received takeoff clearance, he added power. After adding power, he reported losing control of the airplane, and exiting the taxiway. The right wing of the airplane impacted a sign resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33EV), registered now, S/N 120070, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12 - Registry model: [Vans RV-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/vans-rv-12) (registry code 0690009) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 120070 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 416 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2021 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: BAF, Westfield-Barnes Rgnl - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 91; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, unknown; last flight review December 1, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 1,022 total, 416 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: BAF - METAR: KBAF 161253Z 02010KT 10SM CLR 21/11 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP178 T02060111 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220816014639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220816014639A), Aug 16, 2022: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted]A van?s RV-12 homebuilt experimental aircraft being operated by [privacy data omitted]a licensed pilot struck the a 20-2 runway hold… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105748. 928 KB in all. - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15364960&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Basic%20Pilot%20interview-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 818 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14349959&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.