# Accident 20110922022529A: Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, Wells, NV, September 22, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 22, 2011, 09:30 local time
- Place: Wells, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.3505° N, 114.8008° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3505&lon=-114.8008&mi=10
- Aircraft: N49S, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1 (registry code 0561115, https://openairdocs.org/model/bunker-kenneth-j-rlv-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUNKER KENNETH J RLV-1
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,664 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11LA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA461) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110922022529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, CERTIFICATE NO. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, WAS FLYING AT LOW LEVEL WITH PASSENGER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WHO WAS FILMING THE LOCAL RURAL AREA.  THIS WAS REPORTED AS A NON REVENUE PERSONNAL FLIGHT.  TERRAIN IN THE AREA CONSISTED OF ROLLING HILLS COVERED WITH CEDAR TREES.   AS THE PILOT MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A SMALL DRAW IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT HE COULD NOT OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN AND THAT A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN WAS NOT FEASABLE DUE TO STEEP SLOPES ON EACH SIDE.  THE PILOT CONTINUED UP THE DRAW AND IMPACTED CEDAR TREES DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG AND THE PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR11LA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA461), Sep 22, 2011: Bunker RLV-1 (N49S), Wells, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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