Howes RV-6 accident near Paulden, AZ
On March 19, 2009, a Howes RV-6 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Paulden, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 19, 2009
- Place
- Paulden, AZ
- Aircraft
- Howes RV-6 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.931°N, 112.513°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090319X04253
Official records · WPR09LA153
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 2009, about 1750 mountain standard time, an amateur built Howes RV-6 experimental airplane, N6383W, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during a forced landing near Paulden, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Sedona Airport (SEZ), Sedona, Arizona about 20 minutes prior to the time of the accident with an intended destination of Big Springs Ranch Airport (AZ27), Paulden, Arizona. A witness located near the accident reported observing the airplane flying overhead his/her location performing turns to the left and right while trailing white smoke. The witness stated that as the airplane was about "tree-top level," it pitched down and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest in an upright position within an open dirt field. All primary flight control surfaces and major components of the airplane were located within 10 feet of the main wreckage. The leading edges of the left and right wings were crushed aft to the main wing spar. The forward area of the fuselage was also crushed aft. Oil was observed along the bottom side of the fuselage and on the tailwheel. The wreckage was relocated to a secure facility for fu
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of a leak from the inadequate weld repair of a high-pressure oil line. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering that resulted in a stall during an attempted off-field landing and the pilot's decision to continue flight with a known discrepancy.
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
