Nose Gear Collapsed, A Propeller Strike Occurred, And The Airplane Came To Rest Upright On The Runway 

Location: Crystal, MN Accident Number: CEN23LA398
Date & Time: September 3, 2023, 19:04 Local Registration: N321BT
Aircraft: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 3, 2023, about 1904 central daylight time, a Van’s Aircraft RV-12iS airplane, N321BT, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Crystal, Minnesota. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger sustained no injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 

The light-sport airplane departed from the Major Gilbert Field Airport (4R5), La Pointe, Wisconsin, about 1725, for the cross-country flight. The intended destination was the Crystal Airport (MIC), Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the landing to the dry asphalt of runway 24R at MIC, the pilot reported the airplane bounced two times. The nose gear collapsed, a propeller strike occurred, and the airplane came to rest upright on the runway in a nose down attitude. 

The two occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The nose gear was retained for a future examination. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax Aircraft Engines 912iS reciprocating engine and a Sensenich Propellers 2A0R5R70EN-V composite two-blade ground adjustable propeller. The airplane, serial number 12110, was manufactured by Van’s Aircraft Inc., in 2022.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov