How many accidents has the Vans had?

The NTSB has recorded 172 events involving the Vans : 59 fatal, 28 serious, 34 minor injuries, and 50 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Vans a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Vans has 172 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Vans Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 172 events recorded from 1988 to 2026.

172

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (83 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 23, 2020	Independence, IA	N24DE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a high-speed taxi with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impa… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a high-speed taxi with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a fence and terrain.
Mar 04, 2020	Harrison, OH	N878DZ	Incident	substantial	The malfunction of the steerable tailwheel, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent impact with the pre… The malfunction of the steerable tailwheel, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll and subsequent impact with the precision approach path indicator lights system.
Feb 15, 2020	Columbus, MS	N7736T	Incident	destroyed	The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box.
Jan 24, 2020	Fernandina Beach, FL	N130JK	Incident	substantial	The pilot receiving instruction’s loss of directional control on landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main land… The pilot receiving instruction’s loss of directional control on landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.
Dec 30, 2019	GRANBURY, TX	N519RV	Incident	substantial	The airplane’s impact with a bird while on approach.
Oct 04, 2019	Lake Elsinore, CA	N192DP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi, which resulted in the landing gear collapsing and a nose-over.
Sep 21, 2019	Lancaster, TX	N569JC	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power due to a faulty magneto/ignition system, which resulting in a forced landing.
Jul 20, 2019	Oshkosh, WI	N143MS	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate spacing from the lead airplane while landing following revised landing instructions, which necessitated that … The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate spacing from the lead airplane while landing following revised landing instructions, which necessitated that the pilot conduct an improper landing flare and resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 29, 2019	Joplin, MO	N678LL	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jun 14, 2019	Culpepper, VA	N696SH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jun 01, 2019	Paola, KS	N515CW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion during the aborted landing and subsequent impact with vegeta… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion during the aborted landing and subsequent impact with vegetation and a nose-over.
May 25, 2019	Fort Drum, FL	N702CL	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Apr 27, 2019	Chandler, OK	N621L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing on a grass runway, which resulted in a nose-over.
Dec 25, 2018	Watkins, CO	N711KJ	Incident	destroyed	The pilot’s failure to apply adequate torque to a fuel line during recent maintenance, which allowed the line to loosen in flight and fuel to enter th… The pilot’s failure to apply adequate torque to a fuel line during recent maintenance, which allowed the line to loosen in flight and fuel to enter the hot engine compartment and resulted in an in-flight fire that consumed the airplane.
Nov 10, 2018	Ramona, CA	N5433T	Incident	destroyed	The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Sep 24, 2018	Heber City, UT	N823HE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and his subsequent attempted go-around.
Sep 11, 2018	Carson, NV	N289MM	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting, right … The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting, right quartering tailwind conditions.
Jul 28, 2018	Holland, MI	N899RV	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a go-around.
Jul 28, 2018	Pickens, SC	N24CM	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Sep 29, 2017	Itasca, TX	N712RL	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustio… The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jan 24, 2016	Chiang Mai, TH	HS-GMC	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 30, 2013	Waldport, OR	N572LS	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Apr 21, 2011	Locust Grove, GA	N190GE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll.
Jul 10, 2010	Port Orange, FL	N801RG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Oct 07, 1995	NORTH PLAINS, OR	N96VA	Incident	substantial	Fuel starvation due to the failure of the left tank fuel quantity sending unit which resulted in a false indication of fuel quantity. A factor was the… Fuel starvation due to the failure of the left tank fuel quantity sending unit which resulted in a false indication of fuel quantity. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Vans Safety Record

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