Friday, November 13, 2020

Van's RV-12, N975G: Accident occurred November 06, 2020 at Byron Airport (C83), Contra Costa County, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Alameda, California 


Location: Byron, CA
Accident Number: WPR21LA049
Date & Time: November 6, 2020, 11:58 Local
Registration: N975G
Aircraft: Vans RV-12 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 6, 2020, about 1158 Pacific standard time, a Vans RV-12 airplane, N975G was damaged when it was involved in an accident near Byron, California. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that soon after departing runway 23, at about 500 ft above ground level (agl), he experienced a loss of engine power. Due to rising terrain, he immediately initiated a left turn to return to the departure end of runway 23. Soon after landing on the runway, the pilot reported a gust of wind that lifted the right wing and the airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, striking a taxiway sign and coming to rest soon after.

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the wind was at 230° at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots.

The airplane was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N975G
Model/Series: RV-12
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KLVK,393 ft msl 
Observation Time: 11:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 17.8°C /5°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 18 knots / 22 knots, 220°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Byron, CA
Destination: Byron, CA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: 
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.823174,-121.62965 (est)



A pilot and its passenger escaped with minor injuries after a plane crash that occurred on November 6th at approximately 12:25 pm.

Airport Operations staff responded to the scene and also requested East County Fire and medical response to the accident. East County Fire was canceled once Airport Operations arrived on scene and determined they were not needed. However, medical responders continued to the scene to confirm the pilot and passenger were ok.

The active runway was closed for several hours waiting for FAA and NTSB clearance and the ultimate removal of the aircraft.

Read more here:   https://eastcountytoday.net