Cupaiole RV-6A accident near West Palm Beach, FL
On April 3, 2010, a Cupaiole RV-6A (airplane) was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 3, 2010
- Place
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Aircraft
- Cupaiole RV-6A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 26.593°N, 80.085°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100404X03031
Official records · ERA10LA205
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 3, 2010, about 1215 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Cupaiole RV-6A, N84KM, operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during impact with a lake, following a total loss of engine power while departing Palm Beach Country Park Airport (LNA), West Palm Beach, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot was killed. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Palm Beach County Glades Airport (PHK), Pahokee, Florida. The airplane was based at LNA. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and a detective from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office interviewed witnesses at LNA and the pilot’s wife. According to a witness at LNA, prior to the flight, the pilot was "working on" the airplane and then planned to get fuel at PHK. Specifically, the pilot was adjusting the alternator and the witness helped him secure the lower engine cowling after the work on the alternator was completed. The pilot’s wife reported that he usually purchased fuel at PHK as the fuel was less expensive at that airport. The airplane subsequently departed runway 9. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses heard the engine noise cease. The airplane then turned right and descended nose-down in to a lake, about 1/8 mile east of LNA. One of the witnesses, who had been a pilot for over 30 years, reported that the engine lost power, the airplane turned right back toward the airport and the airspeed decreased. The airpla
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined.
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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.
