# Accident 20150902015089A: Henderson W A/Johnson W L RV-6A, Bon Aqua, TN, September 2, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 2, 2015, 15:45 local time
- Place: Bon Aqua, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.9350° N, 87.2525° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9350&lon=-87.2525&mi=10
- Aircraft: N216LA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N216LA-2018-09-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Henderson W A/Johnson W L RV-6A (registry code 05617MJ, https://openairdocs.org/model/henderson-w-a-johnson-w-l-rv-6a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HENDERSON W A/JOHNSON W L RV-6A
- Reported engine: AERO-SPORT POWER LTD. O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,415 total, 97 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA15FA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA336) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150902015089A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DEPARTED SHELBYVILLE, TN (SYI) TO HIS HOME AIRPORT, SHELBY COUNTY, AL (EET).  WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR.

PILOT HAD FLIGHT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES IN PLACE AND COMMUNICATED WITH AIR TRAFFIC AT THE START OF THIS FLIGHT.

PILOT WAS INITIALLY ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20  MINUTES AND THEN TURNED TO A NORTHERLY HEADING, THIS HEADING WAS HELD FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES; AFTER THIS TIME, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO CLIMB AND STARTED CIRCLING. THE AIRCRAFT WENT FROM 5000 FEET TO 10,000 FEET IN 10 MILE CIRCLES AND THEN DESCENDED.  THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO A WOODED AREA BEHIND NEW CONSTRUCTION.  ACCORDING TO WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT JUST "CRUISED" INTO THE WOODS.  PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.  MEDICAL EXAMINER FOUND INDICATIONS OF POSSIBLE HEART ISSUES.

## 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 ERA15FA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA336), Sep 2, 2015: Henderson W A/Johnson W L RV 6A (N216LA), Bon Aqua, TN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's incapacitation from complications of a recent heart attack, which resulted in a loss of control during cruise flight.

## Other reports on N216LA (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20100821049899I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100821049899I), Aug 21, 2010: Henderson W RV-6A (N216LA), Columbiana, AL, Minor damage. This was a local personal flight from a private grass strip. The runway was mowed about three quarters to two thirds. The pilot departed from the mowed…

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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