Pilot Debrief

VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12 near Folkston, GA — 2021-10-26

Final reportERA22LA031
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Date
2021-10-26
Location
Folkston, GA, USA
Airport
3J6
Aircraft
VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12
Registration
N525AT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole.

NTSB narrative

Flight track information indicated that, about 1 hour and 35 minutes after departure, in night conditions, the airplane was maneuvering in the vicinity of an airport. The pilot crossed over the runway twice while descending, maneuvered near a roadway, and the groundspeed decreased before the airplane contacted a utility pole beside the road and then impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A family member reported that the pilot had difficulty with his vision during the day, and especially at night. Additionally, a witness stated, and a published NOTAM confirmed, that the runway edge lights at the airport were inoperative. Given the airplane’s maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport and its decreasing speed similar to an approach to landing phase of flight, it is possible that the pilot was maneuvering in an attempt to locate the runway and land when the airplane struck the utility pole.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have attempted to land at night given vision difficulties.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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