Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while on left base leg in the traffic pattern, the airplane was high. He made a 270° descending right turn to final and added 20° of flaps. The airplane descended faster than expected, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane then impacted terrain and came to rest inverted, and a postcrash fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA018 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 11, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Langley, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Whidbey Air Park (W10)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SONEX
- N-number
- N612RF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.