# NTSB LAX01LA239: Johansen/Thiessen RV-6A, N246RV, Jackpot, NV, July 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2001, 14:12 local (21:12 UTC) - Place: Jackpot, NV - Coordinates: 41.982223, -114.663612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9822&lon=-114.6636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Lycoming - NTSB case key (mKey): 52649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA239 ## Probable cause the private pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The private pilot lost control of the experimental amateur-built airplane while maneuvering near the destination airport and it descended to ground impact. The accident airplane was one of a group of four aircraft traveling together to attend a fly-in. According to the other pilots, the accident airplane completed a low pass near the destination airport. The airplane pitched nose up, gained altitude, then pitched nose down, followed by a rapid descent until impacting terrain in a near vertical attitude. A post-accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have prevented their normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2001, at 1412 Pacific daylight time, a Johansen/Thiessen RV-6A amateur-built airplane, N246RV, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Jackpot/Hayden Field, Jackpot, Nevada. The private pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight at the time of the accident. The cross-country flight departed Hillsboro, Oregon, earlier that day, and was destined for Jackpot for refueling. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The accident airplane was one of a group of four aircraft traveling together to attend a fly-in. According to the other pilots, the accident airplane completed a low pass near the airport when the airplane pitched nose up, gained altitude, then pitched nose down followed by a rapid descent until impacting terrain in a near vertical attitude. The accident site was located approximately 2 miles west of the airport. The airplane came to rest with its empennage folded over the top of the cockpit/cabin area. The wings sustained leading edge aft crushing damage and the engine and instrument panel was displaced aft into the cockpit area. All flight control surfaces were attached and intact at the accident site. The two-bladed wooden propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange; however, the blades were destroyed. The airplane was transported to El Aero Services, Elko, Nevada, where it was examined on July 19, 2001, by the Safety Board investigator-in-charge, and a representative from the engine manufacturer. No anomalies were noted with the airplane or the engine that would have prevented their operation. The private pilot accumulated a total of 506 hours of flight time, of which 220.7 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he obtained his last biennial flight review endorsement on June 19, 1999. He held a third-class medical certificate with no limitations, which was issued on November 2, 2000. The experimental airplane's last condition inspection took place on November 14, 2000, at an aircraft total time of 2,773.3 hours. The tachometer and/or Hobbs meter were not located during the post-accident examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246RV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246RV-2002-01-15), registration cancelled 2002-01-15, S/N 20910, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Johansen/Thiessen RV-6A - Registry model: [Johansen R/ Thiessen J RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/johansen-r-thiessen-j-rv-6a) (registry code 05620SU) (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: 20910 - Airframe hours: 2773.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary C. Hanson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 14, 2000 - Departed: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR - Destination: 06U, JACKPOT, NV - Airport: 06U, Franklin/Hayden Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 19, 1999; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 506 total, 221 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 130 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 20010707028839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010707028839A), Jul 7, 2001: Amtr RV6A, Jackpot, NV, No damage, 2 fatal. (-23) This pilot with his airplane was participating in an experimental aircraft fly-in at this airport. He and his passenger were flying in a four plane… 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.