Bunker RLV-1 N49S

Summary

On 22 September 2011 at about 15:30 local time, a Bunker RLV-1 registered N49S, operated by Michael D. Erikson, was involved in an accident near Wells, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 September 2011 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wells, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

41.3505, -114.8008

Aircraft

Bunker RLV-1

Registration

N49S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michael D. Erikson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wells → Wells

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA461

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that his passenger wanted to take pictures of a mountain range about 5 miles from the departure airport. As the airplane neared the mountain range, which consisted of rolling tree-covered hills, the pilot turned into a valley. Proceeding up the valley, he realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to outclimb the rising terrain and that turning around was not an option due to the higher terrain on both sides of the valley. The airplane subsequently impacted a 15-foot high tree, entered an uncontrolled descent, and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he gained altitude prior to entering the area of rising terrain. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.