Vans RV8 accident near Monte Vista, Colorado, July 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 2019 Vans RV8, registered N425GB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Monte Vista, Colorado (Monte Vista Municipal 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 pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2026 · about 9:45 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Monte Vista, Colorado · Monte Vista Municipal · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Vans RV8, built 2019
- Registration
- N425GB · registry record · serial 83289
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll in a tailwheel equipped airplane, after the tailwheel lifted off the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to weathervane to the right. Despite the pilot’s application of full left rudder, he could not maintain directional control. The airplane exited the right side of the runway, struck a ditch and the left main landing gear collapsed which resulted in the left wing impacting the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 20 with wind 260° at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots.
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
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 679 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 592 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 12, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 330 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2026; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-390-EXP 16 (piston); 204 hours total
The flight
- Destination: CDS Childress TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 5,902 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from KALS, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KALS 072052Z AUTO 26009G17KT 10SM CLR 30/02 A3034 RMK AO2 PK WND 26028/1955 SLP164 T03000017 56013 $
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N425GB on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming IO-390-EXP 16 312 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Monte Vista Municipal · nearest airport
- Childress Municipal · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Colorado 2,860 since 1982 · 383 in the last ten years
- Colorado 7,486 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA259.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.