Amateur-built RS-3 accident near Crabapple, Texas, December 19, 2025
On December 19, 2025 at about 2:26 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built RS-3, registered N3012G, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Crabapple, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence cable guy-line during low-level maneuvering over a river.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 19, 2025 · about 2:26 pm local time
- Place
- Crabapple, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RS-3 NO SERIES, built 2002
- Registration
- N3012G · registry record · serial 3001
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while conducting a low-level flight over a river, and upon attempting a low-level pass over a riverbed sand bar in his tail wheel-equipped airplane, he did not see a high-water fence cable guy-line above the riverbed. The airplane’s main landing gear impacted the cable guy-line, and the airplane subsequently impacted the sand bar. The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot and the passenger were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane was destroyed due to a post impact fire that started forward of the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining a higher altitude to avoid objects.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,282 hours in all; 285 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 1,160 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 24, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 624.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 19, 2025; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AQO Llano TX at 1:32 pm
- Destination: AQO Llano TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 am from KAQO, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAQO 191415Z AUTO 34004KT 10SM CLR M01/M03 A3023 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of right side of the airplane at accident site
Photograph 2 – Front view of airplane at the accident site
Photograph 3 – View of left side of airplane at the accident siteThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 12, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | 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.