Swanson R/Swanson S RV-6 accident near Concord, CA
On January 30, 2024, a Swanson R/Swanson S RV-6 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Concord, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 30, 2024
- Place
- Concord, CA
- Aircraft
- Swanson R/Swanson S RV-6 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.978°N, 122.061°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240130193721
Official records · WPR24FA080
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- ATC - Certified Audio: Recording (ZIP), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn January 30, 2024, at 1029 Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6 airplane, N30AK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Concord, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Based on numerous witness statements, the accident pilot was performing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs in the traffic pattern and had successfully completed several. As the airplane climbed during the accident takeoff, the engine lost power, the nose lowered, and engine power momentarily resumed. The airplane’s nose then pitched up and, about that time, the engine lost total power. The airplane banked to the left, the nose dropped, and the airplane dived straight to the ground. A review of ADS-B data showed that the airplane initially departed from runway 19L at 1009:21 then remained within the airport traffic pattern for a series of six touch-and-go take-offs and landings. After the seventh takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 100 ft msl, then began a descending left turn. The last ADS-B target was at 1029:10, about 100 ft south of the main wreckage (see figure 1). A review of videos captured by cameras near and on the airport revealed that, after the final takeoff, the airplane climbed, the nose lowered, then the airplane again began a brief climb. Soon after, the airplane banked left and entered a near-vertical, nose-down descent. The left bank continued to increase as the airplane descended. Figure 1. View of final descent to accide
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to a separated fuel line and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's medical condition and the effects of multiple impairing substances.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
