Olson VANS RV-6 N606RV

Summary

On 2 November 2006 at about 15:16 local time, a Olson VANS RV-6 registered N606RV was involved in an accident near Rio Verde, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 November 2006 at 15:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Rio Verde, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.8103, -111.6675

Aircraft

Olson VANS RV-6

Registration

N606RV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Phoenix → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07LA025

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while intentionally flying at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with power lines while flying at low altitude over a river and descended into the water below. Witnesses observed the airplane flying low over a prolonged period in the area of a dam and along the river below the dam. One witness noted that the airplane appeared to be lower than the surrounding hills. Power lines are situated just south of the dam and proceed along the south-side of the river. The power lines cross the river to its north side at a point where the river makes a "U" shaped 180-degree turn, heading north momentarily and then reversing course to the south. The power lines cross the river in the southward leg of the "U" shape. The terrain in the middle of the "U" shape is about 150 feet higher than the river, which would likely block the view of the south flowing leg of the river, and perhaps the power line, from a pilot following the river at low altitude. The power line's wires were found frayed and damaged in the stretch that crossed the river. The airplane came to rest in the river near the power line crossing. Examination of the wreckage found that the right wing of the airplane contacted and was severed by the power line. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found during the examination of airframe and engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.