Amateur-built RV-8 accident near Monte Vista, Colorado, July 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built RV-8, registered N425GB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Monte Vista, Colorado. 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 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
- July 7, 2026 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Monte Vista, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-8, built 2019
- Registration
- N425GB · registry record · serial 83289
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
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 aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Destination: CDS Childress TX
- A second pilot was aboard
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.
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.