Amateur-built AIR CAM accident near Minden, Nevada, August 20, 2024
On August 20, 2024 at about 3:19 pm local time, a 2001 amateur-built AIR CAM, registered N2412Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Minden, Nevada (Minden-Tahoe airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2024 · about 3:19 pm local time
- Place
- Minden, Nevada · Minden-Tahoe · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIR CAM, built 2001
- Registration
- N2412Y · registry record · serial AC-089
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 20, 2024, about 0819 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lockwood Air Cam, N2412Y, was substantially damaged when in was involved in an accident at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to an airport staff member who was parked on a taxiway adjacent to runway 34, they observed the airplane takeoff on runway 34, and several seconds later, it leveled off before the right wing dropped momentarily. The airplane leveled off briefly before it entered a nose down attitude. The airplane then leveled off a third time for a few seconds before the right wing dropped and the airplane descended into the ground. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted on the right edge of runway 34, on a magnetic heading of 070° about 3,900 ft from the approach end of the runway. The first identifiable point of impact was a ground scar left of the runway centerline about 3,880 ft from the approach end of the runway. The forward portion of the fuselage was compressed aft. All major structural components of the airplane remained attached to the airframe. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
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 initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Runway 16/3, 7,399 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 am from KMEV
Weather report (METAR): KMEV 201515Z AUTO 00000KT 9SM CLR 18/M01 A3020 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.