Vans Aircraft INC RV-12 accident near Paris, Idaho, September 27, 2024
On September 27, 2024 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2010 Vans Aircraft INC RV-12, registered N916PH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Paris, Idaho (Bear Lake County 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).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to properly configure the flaps, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2024 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Paris, Idaho · Bear Lake County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Vans Aircraft INC RV-12, built 2010
- Registration
- N916PH · registry record · serial 120157
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was practicing a soft field takeoff. As the airplane accelerated the nose lifted more than anticipated and at a lower airspeed. The airplane drifted left off the runway surface and the pilot decreased power and attempted to correct the heading change with rudder, but the airspeed was too low for the rudder to be effective. The airplane struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) assembly and the pilot brought the airplane to a stop. The pilot determined he had incorrectly set the flaps to the second notch (full down) instead of the first notch specified in the pilot’s operating handbook, which he said contributed to the conditions leading to the loss of control. He further stated there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that contributed to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
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 takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 213 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 166 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 22, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,502 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 22, 2024; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS SERIES (piston); 1,502 hours total
The flight
- Destination: OGD Ogden UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 5,728 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from KLGU, 36 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLGU 272251Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 31/04 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP148 T03060044
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR24LA322.