# NTSB WPR24LA322: Vans RV-12, N916PH, Paris, ID, September 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2024, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Paris, ID - Coordinates: 42.25329, -111.3431 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2533&lon=-111.3431&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195242/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195242 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA322 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly configure the flaps, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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) - [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) - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/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) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing a soft field takeoff. As the airplane accelerated the nose lifted more than anticipated and at a lower airspeed. The airplane drifted left off the runway surface and the pilot decreased power and attempted to correct the heading change with rudder, but the airspeed was too low for the rudder to be effective. The airplane struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) assembly and the pilot brought the airplane to a stop. The pilot determined he had incorrectly set the flaps to the second notch (full down) instead of the first notch specified in the pilot’s operating handbook, which he said contributed to the conditions leading to the loss of control. He further stated there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that contributed to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N916PH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N916PH), registered now, S/N 120157, 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 - Serial number: 120157 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 1502 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, September 22, 2024, 4 hours before - Destination: OGD, Ogden, UT - Airport: 1U7, Bear Lake County, runway 10/28, 5,728 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 22, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 213 total, 10 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KLGU, 36 nm away - METAR: KLGU 272251Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 31/04 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP148 T03060044 ## 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 20240927014769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240927014769A), Sep 27, 2024: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Paris, ID, Substantial damage. The commercial pilot while practicing soft field takeoffs failed to put the flaps in the correct position. As a result, the aircraft lifted off the runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195242. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17755555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_N916PH_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 460 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17756043&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR24LA322-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.