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Fatal Accident in Maryland

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RV 12 Sad Day

Our prayers go out to the families of all involved

This is a sad day for all of us

Joe Dallas
 
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Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in this difficult time. I hope the investigation will identify the cause so we can all learn from this tragic event.
 
I know it’s inappropriate to comment on this but the news article mentioned the registration number involved in the accident N276VA and that the aircraft was used for revenue flight instruction.

I looked up the aircraft on the federal registry and it appears to be a very early SN 120056 and yet it received its airworthiness certificate just recently – 6/15. I can’t find if it is registered ELSA or EAB. Being that it is a very early SN and apparently under construction for a long period I doubt it would be registered SLSA.

If I’m reading the regulations correctly the aircraft must be registered SLSA in order to be used for revenue flight instruction.

This whole thing struck me because my 12 is SN 120058, just a few #'s later than the accident aircraft. Just makes a person think...

My sincere condolences to the families involved. I await the preliminary report from the NTSB regarding this accident.
 
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The aircraft was an S-LSA.
The S-LSA's use a different serial number sequence than the E-LSA's (there is matching numbers of both types)
 
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/04/20/police-id-victims-killed-in-bay-bridge-airport-plane-crash/

The pilot and passenger were identified a couple of days ago and it seems that the pilot was fairly experienced being an employee of the flight school (although its not clear about his time in the -12 per se) This incident is just so disturbing on so many levels. Whether it was mechanical or pilot error or both I won't even speculate about until we learn more.

Just this past weekend I was flying young eagles only an hour away from where this crash occurred and on my "Young Eagles" checklist I spend a fair amount of time on the ground discussing safety with the "Eagle" and his/her parents as I would want a pilot taking up my kid to do the same thing. We go over where the fire extinguisher is located, first aid kit, even how to open and get out of the aircraft if I was unable to do that for them... I usually preface that discussion about how unlikely all that detailed info will be needed, but that "I feel better sharing with them". Its easy to become safety complacent with the RV-12 as it is such an easy plane to fly and land compared to many other aircraft with higher stall speeds in the pattern. Sadly, it takes incidents like this to get your attention that even with a safety mindset, what we do is serious business.

The only positive that will hopefully come out of this tragedy are learnings about how to prevent it from happening ever again. We'll have to wait for the NTSB to help us with that.
 
Kahuna said:
This is incorrect. Please take this discussion to another thread.
Click to expand...

Why?? This is an RV-12 model specific forum and the subject is a fatal RV-12 accident in Maryland. I think that keeping all of the discussion about this accident in one thread is important to all of us RV-12 guys.
 
PilotBrent said:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/04/20/police-id-victims-killed-in-bay-bridge-airport-plane-crash/

The pilot and passenger were identified a couple of days ago and it seems that the pilot was fairly experienced being an employee of the flight school (although its not clear about his time in the -12 per se) This incident is just so disturbing on so many levels. Whether it was mechanical or pilot error or both I won't even speculate about until we learn more.

Just this past weekend I was flying young eagles only an hour away from where this crash occurred and on my "Young Eagles" checklist I spend a fair amount of time on the ground discussing safety with the "Eagle" and his/her parents as I would want a pilot taking up my kid to do the same thing. We go over where the fire extinguisher is located, first aid kit, even how to open and get out of the aircraft if I was unable to do that for them... I usually preface that discussion about how unlikely all that detailed info will be needed, but that "I feel better sharing with them". Its easy to become safety complacent with the RV-12 as it is such an easy plane to fly and land compared to many other aircraft with higher stall speeds in the pattern. Sadly, it takes incidents like this to get your attention that even with a safety mindset, what we do is serious business.

The only positive that will hopefully come out of this tragedy are learnings about how to prevent it from happening ever again. We'll have to wait for the NTSB to help us with that.
Click to expand...


If you read the Chesapeake Sport Pilot FB page you'll see how their school encouraged youngsters to learn about planes and aviation. There are some photos of N276VA being looked at by young folks and Scouts.
I believe the CSP school has done stalwart work in promoting aviation and sport flying in particular and I think the whole school organization should be applauded. Indeed they have been operating a couple of RV-12 SLSAs in their training fleet for a little while now and I understand they're very popular.

All of which makes this incident a little sadder to contemplate, especially for me as I own SLSA 12038 not too many numbers away from the accident airplane.
 
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Piper J3 said:
I looked up the aircraft on the federal registry and it appears to be a very early SN 120056 and yet it received its airworthiness certificate just recently – 6/15. I can’t find if it is registered ELSA or EAB. Being that it is a very early SN and apparently under construction for a long period I doubt it would be registered SLSA.
Click to expand...

Look at Classification and Category.
N276VA is listed as Class-Light Sport, Category-Airplane This is SLSA.
ELSA would be Class-Experimental, Category-Operating Light-Sport Kit-Built.
EAB would be Class-Experimental, Category-Operating Amateur-Built Aircraft.
 
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This is very sad news for the family and friends, and all of us 12 owners. I put it in perspective: I also fly a Cherokee and there have been fatal accidents in Cherokees, but I still fly mine regularly and enjoy it. Like the rest of the RV-12 family my heart goes out to all those affected.
 
RFSchaller said:
This is very sad news for the family and friends, and all of us 12 owners. I put it in perspective: I also fly a Cherokee and there have been fatal accidents in Cherokees, but I still fly mine regularly and enjoy it. Like the rest of the RV-12 family my heart goes out to all those affected.
Click to expand...

I flew over and nearby this airport several times the past four days as I was in and out of PHL, albeit at 15-20k on the arrivals (the weather this past weekend was very nice and clear), and each time I looked down and pondered this accident so close to the runway, and thought a quick prayer for the two people involved in this accident.

I gotta say, I am a little obsessed and upset with this accident with that airplane lined up so neatly, and so close to the runway. The video coverage is quite disturbing for any owner of an RV-12, so I hope the investigators do a thorough and complete investigation of this accident.
 
a lot to learn

Yes this is a very sad accident

The photos show how close they were from the airport.

The photos also show a lot of information, that should help the NTSB

Again our prayers go out to all involved

Joe Dallas



cactuspilot said:
I flew over and nearby this airport several times the past four days as I was in and out of PHL, albeit at 15-20k on the arrivals (the weather this past weekend was very nice and clear), and each time I looked down and pondered this accident so close to the runway, and thought a quick prayer for the two people involved in this accident.

I gotta say, I am a little obsessed and upset with this accident with that airplane lined up so neatly, and so close to the runway. The video coverage is quite disturbing for any owner of an RV-12, so I hope the investigators do a thorough and complete investigation of this accident.
Click to expand...
 
Very interesting to see outcome of investigation

I am sure all read the report indicating a pitch up and lowered wing, lets hope that we get clarity with the report. Speculation doesnt do much good here. Glad the NTSB attends these as the results help all Experimental operators to avoid such tragic events.

Condolences to all family members involved
 
My demographic matches the accident pilot. ATP, instructor.... 5000 plus hours.
To get to that level of experience, you fly heavier faster planes much of your career. You fly certified planes. You might also think you know it all.
You get in a light sport and adjust. Maybe you teach yourself. Knowing it all can be a dangerous handicap. Seeking out a high time instructor from the light sport arena might not be instinctive. You then become the expert. You give rides and teach in the light sport. One day you turn final and either lose a bit of power or let the nose get to high and the airspeed too low. The power reserve is either not there, or you just respond too slowly. A wing drops and there is simply not enough altitude to recover. All those around you are sad. All those who read about you say, how did an experienced instructor let that happen. I am not quarterbacking here on a Wednesday morning. I am only saying to myself.... there but for the grace of God go I.
 
PRELIMINARY REPORT FOR N276VA

From the NTSB incase some of you have not read.


Note: NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. ***"
"On April 19, 2016 about 1244 eastern daylight time, a Vans RV-12, N276VA, registered to Yoxford Air, LLC. operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during final approach at Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, MD. The Airline Transport pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91."
"At approximately 1210, the pilot and his passenger departed runway 29 at W29 and flew southeast for approximately 25 miles before returning to the airport 30 minutes later. Initial radar data indicated they approached the airport traffic pattern from the south at 1,000 feet and entered the traffic pattern on the left downwind leg for runway 29. After turning from base to final, several witnesses reported that the airplane looked unusually low on final approach. The nose pitched up briefly but the airplane did not did not appear to gain any altitude. The left wing appeared to rise, followed by a sharp turn to the right and steep nose down attitude before disappearing behind trees."
"The airplane impacted the ground and cartwheeled for approximately 150 feet before coming to rest upright, approximately 750 feet short of runway 29 and slightly left of the extended runway centerline. A post-accident fire consumed the fuselage before it was extinguished by fire rescue personnel about 10 minutes after the accident."
"According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and pilot records, the pilot held a Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with ratings for Airplane Multiengine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land, and Flight Instructor for Airplane Single Engine Land. His most recent application for a FAA first- class medical certificate was dated April 24, 2008. As of his last known medical exam, the pilot reported that he had accrued approximately 5,136 total hours of flight experience. The pilot was issued a First Class Medical Certificate which expired for all classes on April 30, 2010."
"According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured by Van's Aircraft, Inc. in 2015. The airplane's most recent 100 hour inspection was completed on March 16, 2016. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 298.6 total hours of operation. The airplane was equipped"
"with a Rotax 912-ULS-2 engine."
 
The preliminary NTSB report will be all the information we have until the final report is issued months from now.

Loss of Control - Upset Recovery and Stall Spin Avoidance is the FAA/EAA prime target for reducing GA accident rates.
 
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