Van's RV6 N600VS

Summary

On 5 December 2023 at about 22:45 local time, a Van's RV6 registered N600VS was involved in an accident near Fordyce, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

5 December 2023 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Fordyce, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Fordyce Muni (5M4)

Coordinates

33.8422, -92.3702

Aircraft

Van's RV6

Registration

N600VS

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Durant → Cleveland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA056

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point following an unidentified electrical system failure and subsequent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in an unairworthy condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The two pilots who had just purchased the experimental airplane planned to fly it without a recent condition inspection and without a ferry permit to their home airport. During the flight, the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power. They diverted the flight to an alternate airport, where they attempted to land the airplane. They were unable to extend the wing flaps during the approach for landing and performed a forward slip to decrease altitude. The airplane touched down about halfway down the runway and then overran the runway departure end, where it nosed over in a grass area. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane’s two 12V automotive batteries would not start the engine. However, the engine would start and operate when connected to an operational external battery and the fuel pump turned on. The engine would not start or operate at rated power without the fuel pump operating. An engine-driven fuel pump was not installed on this engine. It is likely that the alternator was not charging the batteries during the accident flight, and the engine ignition and pump were being operated on battery voltage, which was eventually depleted below the engine’s operating tolerances. Also, the failure of the flaps to extend was likely related to the low battery voltage. A recent and proper condition inspection would have likely found and corrected any electrical system faults.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.