Evolution Aircraft INC Revo accident near Holland, Michigan, June 29, 2016
On June 29, 2016 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2014 Evolution Aircraft INC Revo (weight-shift aircraft), registered N20EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Holland, Michigan (Park Township Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing as a result of his failure to adjust the electric trim to the proper position for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2016 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Holland, Michigan · Park Township Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Evolution Aircraft INC Revo, built 2014 · all Revos on the register
- Registration
- N20EV · registry record · serial 000600
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot and flight instructor were returning to the airport to land following an instructional flight in the weight-shift aircraft. The flight instructor performed the approach and landing, and, upon touchdown, the engine power increased. The aircraft lifted off the runway, drifted toward the right side of the runway, began a mild oscillation, then impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; the trim position was set to "fast." According to the aircraft operating instructions, when the aircraft is trimmed in the "fast" setting, the pilot would be required to apply more pressure on the controls in order to slow the aircraft down. The operating instructions indicated that the trim should be set to a "slow" position during landing. It is likely that the flight instructor experienced greater than expected control forces and difficulty in slowing the aircraft during landing due to its improper trim setting. This subsequently led to his loss of control during landing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 30 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 34 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,160 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 40 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3GM Grand Haven MI at 10:00 pm
- Destination: HLM Grand Haven MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,999 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from BIV, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 5, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Operator/student Pilot | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Supplemental Statement - Operator/student Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - FAA Coordinator | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Aircraft Operating Instructions Excerpt | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.