Van’s RV-6, N616RV: Accident occurred December 05, 2019 in Pima, Graham County, Arizona

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N616RV


Location: Pima, AZ
Accident Number: WPR20LA040
Date & Time: 12/05/2019, 1520 MST
Registration: N616RV
Aircraft: Vans RV 6
Injuries:2 Minor 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 5, 2019, about 1520 mountain standard time, an experimental Dunlap RV-6 airplane, N616RV, experienced a total loss of engine power and executed a forced landing onto a field about 2 miles from Pima, Arizona. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries; and the airplane's empennage exhibited substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 Personal Flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from the Safford Regional Airport (SAD), Safford, Arizona at about 1500.

The pilot reported that while cruising westbound at 1,100 feet above ground level the engine stopped without warning. The propeller continued to windmill, but there was no power from the engine. He initiated a 180 degree turn back toward the airport and attempted to restart the engine, but to no avail. The pilot landed the airplane onto a cotton field; when the airplane touched down the landing gear sunk into the soft dirt and flipped over onto its back.

The airplane has been recovered for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N616RV
Model/Series: RV 6 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SAD, 3179 ft msl
Observation Time: 1551 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 300°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Safford, AZ (SAD)
Destination: Safford, AZ (SAD)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 32.901944, -109.786667 (est)

PIMA — Two men out for a Thursday afternoon flight in a experimental aircraft were fortunate enough to avoid major injuries when their craft’s engine failed, leading to a crash landing in a cotton field northeast of town.

The plane’s engine failed in the vicinity of Safford Bryce Road and Marshall Lane, and the men’s attempt to make a landing on the former road was thwarted by the presence of power lines. The plane went down in a cotton field south of Safford Bryce Road, coming to rest upside down with its nose facing east.

The Graham County Sheriff’s Office, Pima Fire and Rescue, the Pima Police Department and the Thatcher Fire Department responded to the scene. The two men were medically evaluated at the scene, and reportedly suffered nothing more than cuts and scrapes.

“They did a good job of keeping their heads, being aware of their surroundings and not panicking,” said Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.eacourier.com