Van's Aircraft Issues RV-12 Service Bulletin Following Fatal Crash

A National Transportation Safety Board preliminary investigation into the accident found the control stick had been assembled improperly.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 04:49 PM ET

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Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Van's Aircraft RV-12 [Credit: Jim Koepnick / EAA]

Key Takeaways:

Van's Aircraft issued Service Bulletin 000102, mandating RV-12 and RV-12iS owners to inspect the control stick assembly for proper installation before their next flight.
This safety measure follows a recent fatal RV-12 crash where the pilot's control stick reportedly disconnected during flight, leading to a loss of control.
The NTSB's preliminary investigation indicates the control stick pushrod disconnected because the inboard eye bolts were installed upside down, allowing them to rotate and detach.

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Owners and operators of Van’s Aircraft RV-12 or RV-12iS models are instructed to inspect the control stick assembly to verify proper installation before their next flight, the kitplane designer and builder announced.

Van’s said it issued a service bulletin requiring the action Monday “out of an abundance of caution” following a fatal RV-12 crash earlier this month after it appeared that the control stick on the pilot’s side disconnected while in flight due to improper assembly.