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March 28, 2025 · Vans Aircraft RV-12 · N4754

Chesterfield, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 28, 2025
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chesterfield, VA
Aircraft
Vans Aircraft RV-12 (2017)
Tail Number
N4754
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA25LA191

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern and reported that he was slightly high on final approach and added power to reach the runway threshold. As he began the flare, a gust of wind struck the airplane and it yawed to the right. He applied left rudder to correct, but the descent rate remained high, and the airplane touched down hard on the right main landing gear and bounced. After regaining control, he completed the landing. During the landing rollout, he described feeling a vibration and hearing a scraping noise, which led him to believe the nose landing gear had collapsed. The airplane subsequently came to rest and a postimpact fire ignited inside the engine cowling. Airport personnel extinguished the fire shortly thereafter. The airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s flight controls that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear.

Full Narrative

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern and reported that he was slightly high on final approach and added power to reach the runway threshold. As he began the flare, a gust of wind struck the airplane and it yawed to the right. He applied left rudder to correct, but the descent rate remained high, and the airplane touched down hard on the right main landing gear and bounced. After regaining control, he completed the landing. During the landing rollout, he described feeling a vibration and hearing a scraping noise, which led him to believe the nose landing gear had collapsed. The airplane subsequently came to reset and a postimpact fire ignited inside the engine cowling. Airport personnel extinguished the fire shortly thereafter. The airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s flight controls that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 EDT
Nearest AirportRichmond Exec/Chesterfield Cou (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans Aircraft RV-12
Tail NumberN4754
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 13 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 F
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data