# NTSB GAA15CA159: Vans RV-12, N242VA, Oshkosh, WI, June 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2015, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Coordinates: 43.984443, -88.575279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9844&lon=-88.5753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91504/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91504 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA159 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to monitor the airplane's glide path during the final approach, which resulted in a low approach path and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the final approach to land as part of a formation flight, he was focused on monitoring the airplane that landed in front of him, and his airplane's airspeed indicator. As a result, he inadvertently flew below the normal glide path, impacted terrain, and sheared off the nose landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the final approach to land as part of a formation flight, he was focused on monitoring the airplane that landed in front of him, and his airplane's airspeed indicator. As a result, he inadvertently flew below the normal glide path, impacted terrain, and sheared off the nose landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N242VA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N242VA), registered now, S/N 12017, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Vans RV-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/vans-rv-12) (registry code 060009Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12017 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 2014 - Departed: Y50, WAUTOMA, WI - Destination: WS17, Oshkosh, WI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: WS17, Pioneer, runway 13, 1,988 × 130 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 2, 2013; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KOSH ## 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 20150620009199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150620009199A), Jun 20, 2015: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. On June 20, 2015 at 1045 CST the pilot of a RV-12, N242VA made an emergency landing in the grass south and next to runway 27 at Oshkosh Wittman airport (osh).… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91504. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 736 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Firewall (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Firewall%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.