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VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12IS accident at Appleton, WI, 24 Feb 2026

Appleton, WI, United States

On February 24, 2026, a VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12IS operated by Pilotsmith Flight Academy was involved in an aviation accident near Appleton, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Airspeed — Not attained/maintainedCapability exceededStudent/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilotEffect on operation

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Feb 2026 VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12IS accident near Appleton, WI?

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Feb 2026 VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12IS accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Feb 2026 involved a VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12IS, operated by Pilotsmith Flight Academy, at Appleton, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

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