Amateur-built RV-12 N86GV accident near Chandler, Texas

Probable cause

The loss of control inflight for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed the airport for an unknown destination. ADS-B data captured the accident flight as it departed from the runway and climbed to about 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl). It then entered a descending right turn with increasing speed and impacted shallow water on the bank of a lake.

Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A gear marking in the engine case was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of the accident.

The pilot had a documented history of angioplasty and hypertension, and toxicological evidence indicated he had used medications consistent with treating cardiovascular disease. He likely was at increased risk of a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiovascular event. An autopsy was conducted on the pilot; however, due to the condition of the remains, a thorough examination could not be conducted. It could not be determined if an impairing condition or natural disease contributed to the accident.

Some, or all, of the ethanol detected by toxicological testing may have been from postmortem production; however, the limited results also do not exclude the possibility of ethanol consumption or related impairment. Additionally, the pilot’s toxicology results indicate that he had used multiple medications (including hydrocodone, citalopram, zolpidem, gabapentin, and amitriptyline) that are potentially impairing and/or potentially indicative of other medical conditions (such as depression, chronic pain, or medication-treated diabetes) that could have impairing effects on performance.

The airplane’s descending right turn, along with the near-vertical impact signatures, were consistent with an inflight loss of control from which the pilot was unable to recover.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23FA016 for the full record.