Amateur-built RV6A accident near Demming, New Mexico, July 31, 2009
On July 31, 2009 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built RV6A, registered N613LE, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Demming, New Mexico (Demming Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to manage and monitor fuel usage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2009 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Demming, New Mexico · Demming Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6A
- Registration
- N613LE · no longer on the register · serial 23993
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on final approach to land, the pilot initiated a go around due to a glider on the runway. When he added power the engine lost power, forcing the pilot to land short of the runway and impact the airport perimeter fence. A witness overheard the passenger say "they switched fuel tanks after the engine lost power, but it didn't do anything." Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately one quart of fuel and the fuel selector was on the left tank. Investigators were able to confirm fuel flow from the left tank and no fuel flow from the right tank. Damage was confirmed to the engine firewall and wing spars.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 239 hours in all; 169 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 19, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 318 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 21, 2009
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LRU Las Cruces NM at 4:20 pm
- Destination: DMN Demming NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 6,627 ft by 25 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 am
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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 N613LE 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.