Amateur-built RV-6A accident near Immokalee, Florida, February 12, 2001
On February 12, 2001, a amateur-built RV-6A, registered N6279E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Immokalee, Florida (Immokalee airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare, and his evaluation of the gusty wind conditions resulted in the collision with the terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 2001
- Place
- Immokalee, Florida · Immokalee · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6A
- Registration
- N6279E · no longer on the register · serial 24735
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, upon landing, the nose gear failed and buckled under the airframe. The nose then contacted the runway, the airplane then slid into the grass, and flipped over. According to the passenger, after a "very hard landing" the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded off the left side of runway. The passenger also reported that the airplane began to cartwheel after it skidded into the grass. The weather conditions at the time of accident: wind 140 degrees at 10 knots with gust up to 24 knots. The wreckage examination failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 204 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 67 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 28, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Chevrolet V-6, 4.3L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IMM Immokalee FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 090, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N6279E the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.