Amateur-built Nieuport-12 accident near Midland, Texas, December 1, 2021
On December 1, 2021 at about 8:50 pm local time, a 1987 amateur-built Nieuport-12, registered N12GX, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Midland, Texas (Ryan Aerodrome airport). It was a personal 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 pilot’s loss of directional control during a high-speed taxi operation and subsequent collision with terrain during the inadvertent flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 1, 2021 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Midland, Texas · Ryan Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Nieuport-12, built 1987
- Registration
- N12GX · registry record · serial n/a
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he and passenger were conducting a high-speed taxi operation with no intention for flight. While on the runway with partial power selected, the pilot was unable to maintain directional control and elected to execute a takeoff to avoid ground obstacles. During the unintended flight, the pilot reported that the airplane did not respond normally to flight control inputs and subsequently impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the flight control system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 on ground during taxi
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 416 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 2, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7TX7 Midland TX at 8:49 pm
- Destination: 7TX7 Midland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway SOUT, 2,650 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 230.13 inHg
- Observation at 2:30 pm from KMAF, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 18, 2022. 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 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo of Airplane at Accident Site | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Correspondence with FAA | PDF, 1 page | 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.