Amateur-built RV-12 accident near Byron, California, November 6, 2020
On November 6, 2020 at about 7:58 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built RV-12, registered N975G, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Byron, California (Byron Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 6, 2020 · about 7:58 pm local time
- Place
- Byron, California · Byron Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-12 NO SERIES, built 2018
- Registration
- N975G · no longer on the register · serial 120840
- 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 after takeoff from runway 23, about 466 ft above ground level, the engine “failed,” and he immediately turned back to land. The pilot landed with a direct gusting tailwind and applied hard braking; however, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured aft of the No. 2 connecting rod journal. The fracture surface exhibited signatures consistent with fatigue cracking that originated from multiple initiation sites along the radius between the connecting rod journal and the crankshaft web.
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 engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,204 hours in all; 439.5 in this make and model; 11.6 in the last 90 days; 3.7 in the last 30 days; 2,138.6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1:; 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ulpower UL350IS; 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KLVK, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLVK 061953Z COR 24015KT 10SM SCT030 16/03 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP083 T01560028
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 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 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Meteorology | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Roc FAA Fsdo Exam Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 10 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.