What happened
On August 20, 2024, at approximately 0819 Pacific daylight time, a Lockwood Air Cam, registration N2412Y, was involved in an accident during takeoff from runway 34 at Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nevada. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
An airport staff member positioned on a taxiway near runway 34 observed the aircraft take off. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft leveled off, but the right wing momentarily dropped. The aircraft briefly stabilized before entering a nose-down attitude. After a third brief period of level flight, the right wing dropped again, causing the aircraft to descend into the ground.
The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 1 serious injury.
The investigation
At the accident site, the aircraft was found resting inverted on the right edge of runway 34, at a magnetic heading of 070°, approximately 3,900 feet from the approach end of the runway. The initial point of impact was identified as a ground scar located left of the runway centerline, about 3,880 feet from the approach end of the runway.
Investigation of the wreckage showed that the forward section of the fuselage was compressed aft. All major structural components remained attached to the airframe. The aircraft was moved to a secure location for further examination.