# NTSB FTW01LA164: Young RV-6, N6GY, Spring, TX, July 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 2001, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Spring, TX - Coordinates: 30.060625, -95.380683 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0606&lon=-95.3807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52688/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA164 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the landing approach. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - object - residence ## Analysis This was the first flight of the homebuilt airplane following its certification on the day prior to the accident. While returning from the airplane's maiden flight, about 10 nautical miles from the airport, approximately 1,200 feet msl, the pilot turned the electric fuel pump on for landing, and the engine began to run "rough." He turned the fuel pump off and the engine "smoothed out." With the fuel pump on, the pilot could lean the mixture and get the engine to "smooth out." After trying several combinations of fuel pump and mixture settings, the pilot thought the engine was running smooth and planned for a tight pattern, high speed approach, with the mixture full rich and the fuel pump off. While on base leg, at approximately 600 feet agl, the aircraft appeared to be settling faster than anticipated. The pilot attempted to add power, but the engine was "dead and just wind milling." He went through a "quick restart" and at approximately 400 feet, initiated a forced landing to a nearby trailer park and declared an emergency. The airplane touched down between two rows of trailers, and during the landing roll the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane came to rest upright with the left wing against a house trailer. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2001, at 1510 central daylight time, a Young RV-6 homebuilt experimental airplane, N6GY, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and house trailer during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport near Spring, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot/builder. The private pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The local flight originated from the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport at 1429. This was the first flight of the homebuilt airplane following its certification on July 11, 2001. The pilot reported that while returning from the airplane's maiden flight, about 10 nautical miles from the airport, approximately 1,200 feet msl, he turned the electric fuel pump on for landing, and the engine began to run "rough." He then turned the fuel pump off and the engine "smoothed out." He further reported that with the fuel pump on, he could lean the mixture and get the engine to "smooth out." After trying several combinations of fuel pump and mixture settings, the pilot thought the engine was running smooth and planned for a tight pattern, high speed approach, with the mixture full rich and the fuel pump off. While on base for runway 17R, at approximately 600 feet agl, the aircraft appeared to be settling faster than anticipated. The pilot attempted to add power, but the engine was "dead and just wind milling." He went through a "quick restart," and at approximately 400 feet, initiated a forced landing to a nearby trailer park and declared an emergency. The airplane touched down between two rows of house trailers, and during the landing roll, the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane came to rest upright with the left wing against a house trailer. An examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the one piece wing was partially separated from the fuselage, and the left side of the fuselage was torn open. Further examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6GY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6GY-2018-05-01), registration cancelled 2018-05-01, S/N 23070, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Young RV-6 - Registry model: [Young Gregory RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/young-gregory-rv-6) (registry code 05608I8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23070 - Airframe hours: 0.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory Young - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2001, 0.5 hours before - Departed: DWH, Spring, TX - Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks, runway 17R ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,246 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,196 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: DWH ## 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 20010712016429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010712016429A), Jul 12, 2001: Amtr RV6, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 12, 2001, at 1510 central daylight time, a young RV-6 homebuilt experimental airplane, N6GY, was destroyed during a forced landing follwoing a… 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.