# NTSB WPR11LA461: Bunker RLV-1, N49S, Wells, NV, September 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2011, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Wells, NV - Coordinates: 41.350498, -114.800811 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3505&lon=-114.8008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA461 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA461 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0561115), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=0561115), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0561115), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0561115), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0561115), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that his passenger wanted to take pictures of a mountain range about 5 miles from the departure airport. As the airplane neared the mountain range, which consisted of rolling tree-covered hills, the pilot turned into a valley. Proceeding up the valley, he realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to outclimb the rising terrain and that turning around was not an option due to the higher terrain on both sides of the valley. The airplane subsequently impacted a 15-foot high tree, entered an uncontrolled descent, and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he gained altitude prior to entering the area of rising terrain. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2011, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Bunker RLV-1 experimental amateur built airplane, N49S, was substantially damaged following an impact with terrain while maneuvering about five miles southwest of the Wells Municipal Airport (LWL), Wells, Nevada. The certified private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed LWL about 0800. In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that his passenger wanted to take pictures of some nearby mountains, which were located about 5 miles southwest of LWL. The pilot stated that as the airplane approached the rolling hills near the higher mountains he made a right turn into a draw, but the airplane was then unable to climb above the rising terrain, which consisted of rolling hills populated with cedar trees. The pilot added that at this point he was unable to turn around due to higher terrain on both sides of the airplane. The pilot revealed that the airplane subsequently impacted a cedar tree about 15 feet high, and as the airplane descended to the ground it impacted at least two more trees before coming to rest upright substantially damaging the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he gained altitude prior to entering the area of rising terrain. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49S), registered now, S/N 2, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bunker RLV-1 - Registry model: [Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bunker-kenneth-j-rlv-1) (registry code 0561115) (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: 2 - Airframe hours: 817 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael D. Erikson - Registered owner: Wells Propane Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 10, 2010, 3 hours before - Departed: LWL, Wells, NV - Destination: LWL, Wells, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2011; flight hours: 1,664 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,577 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: EKO, 38 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 20110922022529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110922022529A), Sep 22, 2011: Bunker Kenneth J RLV-1, Wells, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted], certificate no. [privacy data omitted], Was flying at low level with passenger [privacy data omitted] who was filming the local… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81871. 432 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 3, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-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.