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November 26, 2025 · Gray RG12 · C-FGEW

Benton Harbor, MI

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 26, 2025
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Benton Harbor, MI
Aircraft
Gray RG12 (2024)
Tail Number
C-FGEW
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN26LA052

On November 26, 2025, at 0920 eastern standard time, a RG12 airplane, C-FGEW, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Benton Harbor, Michigan. The pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 91 ferry flight. The airplane was an experimental amateur-built replica of a Piper PA-12 that was being ferried by the pilot to the new airplane owner. About 10 minutes after the flight departed from Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac, Michigan, an airframe vibration/flutter ensued. The vibration rapidly increased in severity despite changes in the airplane’s airspeed and engine power setting. During the flight, the ailerons contacted their mechanical stops, the horizontal stabilizer moved up and down vigorously, and the control stick was forced toward all corners of its travel range. The pilot decided to divert the flight to Southwest Lakes Airpark, Sawyer, Michigan, which had only one turf runway. After overflying the airstrip, the pilot decided it would be unsafe to attempt a landing due to the control issues and then flew to Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he attempted a landing on runway 28 with winds from 240o at 27 knots gusting to 43 knots. The pilot stated that he was unable to obtain the latest wind information using his handheld radio because he was managing the control difficulties that were being experienced. The pilot stated that during landing, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear wheels, and he used full flight control inputs to counteract wind effects. During landing roll, the airplane veered right, the right wing contacted the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer/rudder on impact with the runway surface. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing drag and anti-drag wires were attached but found loose. Flight control continuity was established to all the flight controls.

Full Narrative

On November 26, 2025, at 0920 eastern standard time, a RG12 airplane, C-FGEW, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Benton Harbor, Michigan. The pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 91 ferry flight. The airplane was an experimental amateur-built replica of a Piper PA-12 that was being ferried by the pilot to the new airplane owner. About 10 minutes after the flight departed from Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac, Michigan, an airframe vibration/flutter ensued. The vibration rapidly increased in severity despite changes in the airplane’s airspeed and engine power setting. During the flight, the ailerons contacted their mechanical stops, the horizontal stabilizer moved up and down vigorously, and the control stick was forced toward all corners of its travel range. The pilot decided to divert the flight to Southwest Lakes Airpark, Sawyer, Michigan, which had only one turf runway. After overflying the airstrip, the pilot decided it would be unsafe to attempt a landing due to the control issues and then flew to Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he attempted a landing on runway 28 with winds from 240o at 27 knots gusting to 43 knots. The pilot stated that he was unable to obtain the latest wind information using his handheld radio because he was managing the control difficulties that were being experienced. The pilot stated that during landing, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear wheels, and he used full flight control inputs to counteract wind effects. During landing roll, the airplane veered right, the right wing contacted the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer/rudder on impact with the runway surface. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing drag and anti-drag wires were attached but found loose. Flight control continuity was established to all the flight controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 EST
Nearest AirportSouthwest Michigan Rgnl (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length6006 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGray RG12
Tail NumberC-FGEW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 27 kt, gusting 43 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.69 inHg
Observation Time09:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data