# NTSB GAA17CA358: Vans RV-12, N234VA, Eugene, OR, June 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2017, 18:23 local (Jun 20, 2017, 01:23 UTC) - Place: Eugene, OR - Coordinates: 44.121665, -123.215835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1217&lon=-123.2158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95421/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95421 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA358 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during 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 · Student/instructed 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) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis According to the flight school director, the student pilot was conducting stop-and-go landings during a solo flight. He added that the student pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane began to "fishtail," the pilot reduced power, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight school director reported that, according to the student pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the flight school director, the student pilot was conducting stop-and-go landings during a solo flight. He added that the student pilot reported that during takeoff, the airplane began to "fishtail," the student pilot reduced power, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, and impacted a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight school director reported that, according to the student pilot there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234VA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234VA-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 12008, 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: S12008 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 1051.1 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lane Community College - Registered owner: Lane Community College - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2017 - Departed: EUG, Eugene, OR - Destination: EUG, Eugene, OR - Airport: EUG, Mahlon Sweet Field, runway 34R, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KEUG ## 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 20170619017859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170619017859A), Jun 19, 2017: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Eugene, OR, Substantial damage. Student pilot conducting second solo flight conducted three previous landings, one touch and go, and two stop and go procedures. On the takeoff roll following… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95421. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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.