# NTSB FTW04LA040: Hackney Vans RV-6A, N528DH, Carthage, TX, December 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 2003, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Carthage, TX - Coordinates: 32.175834, -94.298614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1758&lon=-94.2986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58475/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58475 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA040 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,line - starvation - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The flight arrived at the airport after one hour of touch and go landings at a another nearby airport. The flight reported on Unicom being established on the downwind for runway 35. Witnesses reported that following the approach, the airplane appeared to have touched down on runway 35. The airplane was then observed climbing through 300 or 400 feet agl, and then the aircraft "stalled, the nose dropped to about 30 degrees below the horizon, and the airplane entered a right spin." Another witness reported that the engine lost power and the flight initiated a right 180-degree turn to attempt to return to the airport. The airplane impacted the ground on a heading nearly the opposite of the takeoff heading in a nearly level attitude, bounced once and came to rest about 25 feet beyond the point of initial impact on a measured heading of 185 degrees, approximately 1,000 feet to the east of the centerline of runway 35. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the damage was consistent with that of a nearly level attitude, at a high rate of descent, in a slight right turn. Examination of the engine revealed that no fuel was found in the carburetor, the gascolator, or the fuel line feeding the engine. The reason for the reported fuel starvation could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 2003, at 1315 central standard time, a Hackney Vans RV-6A single engine homebuilt airplane, N528DH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during a touch and go landing from runway 35 at the Panola County Airport (4F2), near Carthage, Texas. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Fun Flyers Inc., of Karnack, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Harrison County Airport (ASL), near Marshall, Texas, about one hour prior to the accident. Witnesses at the airport reported that the owner of the airplane purchased the 2001 model airplane from the original builder 11 days prior to the accident. Friends of the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was for the new part-owner to get checked-out on his airplane. The dual-control tricycle gear airplane was powered by a single 4.3 liter General Motors V-6 carbureted marine engine rated at 180 horsepower. Personnel at the airport reported that the flight departed ASL airport and stayed in the closed traffic pattern to perform some touch and go landings. After approximately 8 to 10 touch and goes, the flight proceeded southbound to the Panola County Airport (4F2), near Carthage, Texas, where they planned to stay in closed traffic to perform some additional touch and go landings. The flight reported on Unicom being established on the downwind for runway 35. A witness reported to local law enforcement personnel that following the approach, the airplane appeared to have touched down on runway 35. After full power was applied, the airplane was observed climbing through 300 to 400 feet agl. The airplane then "stalled, the nose dropped to about 30 degrees below the horizon, and the airplane entered a right spin." The airplane subsequently impacted the ground in a nearly level attitude, bounced once and came to rest about 25 feet beyond the point of initial impact on a measured heading of 185 degrees, approximately 1,000 feet to the east of the centerline of runway 35. Another witness at the airport reported during initial takeoff climb, at an estimated altitude of 400 to 500 feet above the ground, the engine appeared to lose power and the flight made a 180-degree right turn to attempt to return to the airport. Runway 35 at 4F2 was reported to be 4,000 feet in length and 75 feet wide. There were no buildings or major obstructions beyond the departure end of the runway, offering good forced landing options along the takeoff path. The Unicom was operational on 122.8 at the time of the accident. No distress calls were reported on the Unicom from the accident flight. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that both fuel cells were breached by impact forces. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the damage was consistent with that of a nearly level attitude, at a high rate of descent, in a slight right turn. The inspector stated that the airplane impacted the ground on a heading perpendicular to the takeoff runway, bounced once and came to rest on a heading opposite the direction of takeoff. Flight control and engine control continuity were established at the accident site. All three landing gears collapsed during the accident sequence. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officer that first responded to the accident site, reported that the 500-hour pilot and co-owner of the airplane was occupying the left seat, and the 16,000 hour flight instructor was occupying the right seat. The officer reported that both occupants were wearing their respective seat belts and shoulder harnesses. The wreckage of the airplane was recovered to Dallas Air Salvage (ASOD) near Lancaster, Texas, where a detailed examination of the wreckage was conducted on January 14, 2004, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The examination revealed that no fuel was found in the carburetor, the gascolator, or the fuel line feeding the engine. Additionally, no residual fuel was found in the fuel lines beyond the carburetor and no anomalies were noted with the fuel system. The fuel pumps were found to be operational. The reason for the suspected fuel starvation could not be determined. The owner of the airplane reported to the investigator-in-charge in a telephonic conversation, he performed a few flights on the airplane prior to the accident, including one in which he flew with the flight instructor. He added that he had performed 4 or 5 power-off stalls and he found the aircraft to be very docile and the airplane provided consistent "clear breaks" during stalls. He added that due to the relatively short wing span, the airplane "had the propensity to develop a high sink rate" if the airspeed was allowed to decrease below 85 knots on final approach; however, both the flight instructor and his son were well aware of this characteristic. Autopsies and toxicological tests were requested and performed on both occupants of the airplane. The autopsies were requested by the Office of the Medical Examiner and performed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, Texas, on 15 December 2004. The cause of death for both pilots was reported as the result of multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests were performed by the Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Both toxicological tests were negative for alcohol or illegal drugs. The East Texas Regional Airport (KGGG), near Longview, Texas, which is located 24.4 nautical miles northwest (301 degrees) of the accident site was the nearest weather reporting station. Their 1353 METAR reported winds from 150 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 11 degrees Celsius, dew point 02 degrees Celsius, with an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of Mercury. The IIC calculated the density altitude at minus 333 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N528DH-2004-03-02), registration cancelled 2004-03-02, S/N 22528, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hackney Vans RV-6A - Registry model: [Hackney Donald P VAN RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hackney-donald-p-van-rv-6a) (registry code 05610ZG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 22528 - Airframe hours: 150 - Engines: General Motors 4.3 liter V6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Billy R. Gee - Registered owner: Fun Flyers Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 4, 2003, 10 hours before - Departed: ASL, Marshall, TX - Destination: 4F2, Carthage, TX - Airport: 4F2, Panola County Airport, runway 35, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 18, 2003; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 473 total, 2 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 43; injuries: fatal; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,000 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: GGG, 24 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 20031214034779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031214034779A), Dec 14, 2003: Amtr VANSRV6A, Carthage, TX, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. (-23) On December 14, 2003 at approx. 1300 CST, a hackney vans RV-6A single engine homebuilt airplane, N528DH, was substantially damaged following a loss of… ## Other investigations on N528DH (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 FTW03LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA139), Apr 23, 2003: Hackney Vans RV-6A (N528DH), Canton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58475. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360192&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. --- 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.