2018 Van's RV-12 Accident Near Bonita Springs, Florida (N262WS)

Accident Overview and Flight History On January 22, 2018, at approximately 1214 eastern standard time, an experimental light sport Van's Aircraft, Inc., RV-12, N262WS, collided with terrain near Bonita Springs, Florida, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and the fatal injury of the pilot. The privately owned aircraft was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Page Field (FMY), Fort Myers, Florida, at 1148 and was destined for Everglades Airpark (X01), Everglades City, Florida. Air traffic control (ATC) voice communications and radar data indicated that the pilot requested flight following at 1146 and was cleared for takeoff at 1158. At 1200, the pilot failed to respond to instructions to contact departure control. At 1201, the pilot contacted the Southwest Florida International Air Traffic Control Tower east radar controller, who directed a right turn to a heading of 170 degrees and a maintain altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot requested a repeat of the instruction and acknowledged with an incorrect heading. At 1203, the pilot climbed to 2,900 feet before being instructed to return to 2,500 feet. At 1209, the pilot stated he could hear the controller but could not understand the instructions. At 1210:39, the pilot contacted Fort Myers approach. At 1213:49, the approach controller provided traffic information, and the pilot responded that he was looking for the traffic. Six seconds later, the pilot transmitted a mayday call, after which radar and radio contact were lost.