Amateur-built VANS RV7 accident near Polk City, Florida, March 17, 2022
On March 17, 2022 at about 6:38 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built VANS RV7, registered N275PL, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Polk City, Florida (Flanders Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during landing due to the loose and uneven landing surface.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 17, 2022 · about 6:38 pm local time
- Place
- Polk City, Florida · Flanders Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VANS RV7 A, built 2004
- Registration
- N275PL · no longer on the register · serial 70788
- 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 his approach to landing was normal. He said that during the landing roll he felt nose gear “dig in” just before the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over inverted onto the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the grass/turf landing surface was loose and uneven. Inspection of the grass runway surface revealed the dirt was soft, and a ground scar was created by the nose wheel. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed a fractured wheel pant and scarring on the lower right-wing skin. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies prior to 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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private, recreational
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 462 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 402 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 19, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 930 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2021; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 930 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 06FD Mascotte FL at 6:00 pm
- Destination: 4FD7 Polk City FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 1,800 ft by 135 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Observation at 2:53 pm from GIF, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SA 17/03/2022 19:53-> METAR KGIF 171953Z AUTO A3001 RMK AO2 SLPNO PWINO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 31, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record FAA Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Telephone Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record PIC Telephone Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 2 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.