Probable cause
The pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, nose landing gear collapse, and nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane began to porpoise. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed, and the airplane veered off side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA265 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 17, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Covington, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Crest Airfield (S36)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV-7A
- N-number
- N987CW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.