Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On July 10, 2026, about 1023 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 airplane, N812MM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Grand Junction, Colorado. The pilot and a passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot stated that he picked up the airplane at Blake Field Airport (AJZ), Delta, Colorado, after a condition inspection was completed and planned to fly to Mineral County Memorial Airport, Creede, Colorado. After departure from AJZ, the Garmin G3X Touch display dimmed and shut down, which was immediately followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot stated there was no electrical power to the starter switch, but the communication radio continued for function. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer.
The airplane was retained for further examination.