# NTSB CEN26LA232: Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, N164GR, Marvel, AR, June 23, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 23, 2026, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Marvel, AR - Coordinates: 34.59593, -91.19984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5959&lon=-91.1998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203228 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203228/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203228 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA232 ## Probable cause A partial blockage of the pitot static system that precluded the airspeed indicator from displaying the correct airspeed which led to the faster landing speed and bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05901FT), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane departed the pilot’s private grass strip airport. Shortly after, the pilot noticed that the airspeed was indicating lower than normal. Presuming that the pitot tube was partially obstructed, the pilot decided to land the airplane. Due to the inaccurate airspeed, the pilot flew a faster than normal approach. Upon landing, the airplane bounced, and the nose gear strut broke. The propeller struck the ground, the airplane nosed over, and it came to rest inverted on the grass runway. The right wing and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. Other than a possibly obstructed pitot tube, the pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pitot-static system was unable to be functionally tested due to the pitot-static system being damaged in the accident sequence. A post-accident examination of the pitot-tube and the pitot-static tubing did not reveal any blockage or obstruction; however, it is possible it was dislodged during the impact sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N164GR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N164GR), registered now, S/N 11051709, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKY MOUNTAIN KITPLANES LLC S-6S - Registry model: [Rocky Mountain Kitplanes S-6S](https://openairdocs.org/model/rocky-mountain-kitplanes-s-6s) (registry code 05901FT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 11051709 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 695 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Priv, Marvel, AR - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NA, Private, runway 36, 1,950 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 315 total, 28.9 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KSGT, 18 nm away - METAR: KSGT 231956Z AUTO 07006KT 10SM OVC027 26/21 ## 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 20260623007459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260623007459A), Jun 23, 2026: Rocky Mountain Kitplanes LLC S-6S, Holly Grove, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot states he was on final to private grass strip for landing, when he touched down with too much downward force on nose wheel causing nose wheel to dig into… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203228. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20761994&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2026-06-24%2021-14_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20761730&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20883508&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20883074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR-FAA-Rel.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.