MacPhee VANS RV-6 N726WM

Summary

On 23 September 1995 at about 18:20 local time, a MacPhee VANS RV-6 registered N726WM was involved in an accident near Jacksonville, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 September 1995 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Jacksonville, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

42.1807, -123.0401

Aircraft

MacPhee VANS RV-6

Registration

N726WM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Medford → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA95LA224

1 person died.

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance from surrounding terrain after a low pass. The mountainous terrain was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot-in-command and his pilot-rated passenger departed on a pleasure flight to attend a barbecue at a private airstrip. Witnesses at the airstrip observed the airplane approach the runway from the south in a landing configuration with no problems noted. The airplane was then observed to fly over the entire length of the airstrip and beyond about 6 feet above the runway. The airplane then banked to the left and headed towards rapidly rising, mountainous terrain. The airplane then impacted trees. No abnormal engine noises were reported, and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found. The carburetor heat was found partially out, and the flaps were partially extended. Takeoffs to the north are prohibited at the airstrip due to terrain and obstructions. The density altitude was computed to be about 3,747 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.