# NTSB CEN11CA377: Kamtz Russell H RV-6A, N820RC, Dexter, NM, June 5, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 4, 2011, 21:15 local (Jun 5, 2011, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Dexter, NM
- Coordinates: 33.197223, -104.373054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1972&lon=-104.3731&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79314/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79314
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA377

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence while landing at night.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kamtz Russell H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=05607GU), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Kamtz Russell H RV-6A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05607GU), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While on final approach, during a night landing, the pilot established that his altitude was low so he raised the nose of the airplane. The tail of the airplane struck a fence and the airplane impacted terrain short of the runway, coming to rest inverted. The empennage, the right aileron, and the outboard portion of the right wing separated from the airplane. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

While on final approach, during a night landing, the pilot established that his altitude was low so he pulled the nose of the airplane up. The tail of the airplane struck a fence and the airplane impacted terrain short of the runway, coming to rest inverted. The empennage, the right aileron, and the outboard portion of the right wing separated from the airplane. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. The pilot added that he was landing at a private airport which was "poorly lit."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N820RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N820RC-2012-10-19), registration cancelled 2012-10-19, S/N 60204 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAMTZ RUSSELL H RV-6A
- Registry model: [Kamtz Russell H RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/kamtz-russell-h-rv-6a) (registry code 05607GU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 60204
- Airframe hours: 1087
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 25, 2010
- Departed: KALM, Alamagordo, NM
- Destination: PVT, Dexter, NM
- Airport: PVT, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 330 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KROW, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20110604009489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110604009489A), Jun 4, 2011: Kamtz Russell H RV-6A, Dexter, NM, Destroyed. On June 4, 2011, while attempting to land at aprivate grass strip in Dexter, new Mexico, the pilot discovered he was about 20 feet short of the field and…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79314. 776 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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