# NTSB WPR09LA378: Gray RV-6, N69KG, Caldwell, ID, August 1, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2009, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, ID - Coordinates: 43.648056, -116.640556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6481&lon=-116.6406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74419/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74419 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA378 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed that led to a stall/spin while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gray Kenneth RV-6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05601TP), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a family member of the pilot, the airplane had sat on the airport's ramp for about a year without having been flown. About a week before the accident, the pilot flew the airplane once around the traffic pattern. On the day of the accident, the pilot had removed and sandblasted the spark plugs, checked the cylinders for compression, and removed and cleaned the air filter; the filter was reported to have had "some goop" on it. A witness reported observing the airplane take off, and, as it went by him at 100 to 200 feet above ground level, he heard a "popping noise." He subsequently observed the airplane make a quick left turn to a left downwind leg, and as the airplane continued on the downwind he observed the nose increase in pitch, but it was not climbing. As the airplane came abeam the numbers, it made a steep left turn, followed by the nose dropping before it dove into the ground and erupted in flames. The airplane was consumed by a post impact fire. A post accident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies with the cylinders and valve train. All spark plugs were found to have excessive gaps, and all but one failed a bench check when exposed to pressure greater than 80 psi. A post accident examination of the airframe revealed no anomalies. No aircraft or engine logbooks were located during the investigation. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2009, about 1350 mountain daylight time, an experimental built Gray RV-6, N69KG, was destroyed following impact with terrain near the Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL), Caldwell, Idaho. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a witness who was positioned about midfield on the airport, he observed a tan colored with blue trim RV-6 type aircraft depart Runway 12. The witness stated that as the airplane passed him at an altitude of about 100 to 200 feet [above ground level] (agl), "…the engine of the plane began to make a 'popping' noise." The witness reported that a few seconds later the aircraft turned onto a left crosswind, then "quickly" to downwind at an altitude of about 200 feet [agl]. The witness further reported that as the airplane continued on downwind "…the nose of the RV was increasing its pitch and it was apparent that the RV was not climbing. As the RV came approximately abeam the number 12 on its left downwind, it made a steep left turn as to land on 12. As this occurred the nose of the RV dropped, and within a few seconds I saw it dive into the ground and erupt into flames." Prior to impact the airplane had collided with a set of power lines, which bordered the airport on its north perimeter. The airplane was consumed by the post impact fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector who examined the accident site reported that the airplane came to rest in an upright position next to an airport perimeter fence and inside airport property. The accident site was located about 700 feet northeast of the approach end of Runway 12. The fuselage, empennage, and engine were all located together at the main impact site. Due to impact forces and thermal damage, control continuity could not be confirmed. There were no observed anomalies with the airframe when examined at the accident site. The airplane's engine was examined under the supervision of the FAA inspector by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic. The examination revealed no anomalies with the cylinders or the valve train as a result of a borescope inspection. Additionally, no stuck valves were observed. The examination also revealed that all spark plugs were found to have excessive gaps from .028 - .030; the manufacturer recommends .016 - .021. All but one spark plug failed a bench check when exposed to pressures above 80 psi. During the examination, the oil filter was cut and inspected with an acceptable amount of trace particulate matter noted. According to the FAA inspector, a family member reported that the airplane had set idle for about a year on the airport ramp and had not been flown. The family member stated that about a week prior to the accident flight [the pilot]flew it [the airplane] around the airport traffic pattern. The family member further revealed that on the morning of the accident flight [the pilot] removed the spark plugs, sandblasted them, checked [cylinder] compression, and removed the air filter. The family member reported, "The filter had 'goop' on it. [The pilot] cleaned it around noon before the accident." No aircraft, engine or pilot logbooks were located during the investigation. An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Ada County Coroner's Office, Boise, Idaho, on August 3, 2009. According to the autopsy report the cause of death was "…Carbon monoxide poisoning and thermal injuries." The FAA's Forensic Toxicology Research Section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed postmortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot. The specimens were negative for cyanide, ethanol, and drugs. The results also revealed 28 percent carbon monoxide was detected in the blood. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69KG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69KG-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 23069, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gray RV-6 - Registry model: [Gray Kenneth RV-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/gray-kenneth-rv-6) (registry code 05601TP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 23069 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Justin C. Walker - Registered owner: Justin C. Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EUL, Caldwell, ID - Destination: EUL, Caldwell, ID - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: EUL, Caldwell Industrial Airport, runway 12, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 302 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: EUL, 1 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 20090801012319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090801012319A), Aug 1, 2009: Amtr RV6, Caldwell, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) A pilot/mechanic eye witness observed the RV-6 depart runway 12. During the initial climb-out, the eye witness stated the engine started to make popping… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74419. 764 KB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Accident Site Map (item 2, .PDF, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Map-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Record of Report - FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Report%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Record of Report - A&P Mechanic (item 5, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Report%20-%20A%26P%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 8, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.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.