Vans Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 172 events recorded from 1988 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2020 | Melbourne, FL | N196DJ | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| Aug 27, 2020 | Milton, DE | N628JB | Minor | substantial |
The pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timel…The pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timely action to avoid a collision with terrain. |
| Aug 09, 2020 | Little Bassetts Farm, Bentwood, UK | G-CGJN | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 26, 2020 | Henefer, UT | N514BS | Minor | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to the separation of the idler gear shaft bolts as a result of improper installation, which allowed for the idler g…The total loss of engine power due to the separation of the idler gear shaft bolts as a result of improper installation, which allowed for the idler gear to become disengaged. |
| Jul 25, 2020 | Imperial, NE | N327WB | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his decision not to utilize all available runway during high density altitude operations whi…The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning and his decision not to utilize all available runway during high density altitude operations which led to an inflight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. |
| Jul 24, 2020 | Tehachapi, CA | N138PM | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too …The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover. |
| Jul 22, 2020 | Idabel, OK | N54WP | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper installation of an oil line, resulting in the loss of oil and subsequent total loss of engine power. |
| Jul 17, 2020 | Grimes, CA | N508CM | Incident | substantial | A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined. |
| Jun 29, 2020 | McMinnville, OR | N998HG | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a runway marker. |
| Jun 29, 2020 | Perkasie, PA | N408RV | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch…The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch. |
| Jun 17, 2020 | Clovis, NM | N1407W | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the ai…The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and subsequent runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s aft center of gravity at the time of the accident. |
| Jun 13, 2020 | Mandan, ND | N836JC | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss …The pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff and collision with terrain. |
| Jun 12, 2020 | Hampton, GA | N553KM | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s excessive maneuvering at low altitude following a partial loss of engine power which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with t…The pilot’s excessive maneuvering at low altitude following a partial loss of engine power which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. |
| Jun 09, 2020 | Safford, AZ | N173CW | Fatal (1) | substantial | A loss of pitch control during the landing approach due to a jammed elevator control system. |
| Jun 08, 2020 | Sulfer, LA | N44LA | Minor | substantial | A loss of directional control as a result of a fractured landing gear attach bracket. |
| May 21, 2020 | Hampton, GA | N665HM | Incident | substantial |
A right main landing gear break malfunction during landing. Contributing to the accident was a worn right main landing gear caliper pin and pressure p…A right main landing gear break malfunction during landing. Contributing to the accident was a worn right main landing gear caliper pin and pressure plate hole. |
| Apr 23, 2020 | Toledo, BR | PP-ZCA | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| 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. |
| Jan 15, 2020 | Coleman, FL | N235LS | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in premature liftoff, loss of control, and collision with terrain. |
| Jan 05, 2020 | Cullman, AL | N420PW | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot’s inadequate planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Also causal was the pil…The pilot’s inadequate planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb. Also causal was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while attempting to return to the runway after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin, loss of control, and impact with terrain. |
| Dec 30, 2019 | GRANBURY, TX | N519RV | Incident | substantial | The airplane’s impact with a bird while on approach. |
| Dec 05, 2019 | Pima, AZ | N616RV | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |