Ronald R Russell RV-6 accident near Death Valley, CA
On April 30, 2006, a Ronald R Russell RV-6 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Death Valley, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 30, 2006
- Place
- Death Valley, CA
- Aircraft
- Ronald R Russell RV-6 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.451°N, 116.872°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060510X00541
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 30, 2006, about 1305 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Russell RV-6, N655VT, lost engine power during takeoff and nosed over in soft terrain during a forced landing at Furnace Creek Airport, Death Valley National Park, Death Valley, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight was originating at the time of the accident, with a planned destination of Redlands, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 36 degrees 27.07 minutes north latitude and 116 degrees 52.32 minutes west longitude. Witnesses reported that the accident pilot radioed that he was having fuel problems. Then they saw the airplane attempt to land just south of the airport. The airplane touched down on soft sand and nosed over. First responders to the accident sight reported that the pilot was wearing his shoulder and lap belt. The passenger reported that when the pilot told her they were going to land, she tightened her shoulder belt. During the recovery of the airplane the recovery crew reported that both fuel tanks contained a substantial amount of fuel. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single
Probable cause
a fuel starvation induced loss of engine power due to a likely vapor lock condition in the fuel lines.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
