Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Balmorhea, Texas, April 4, 2010
On April 4, 2010 at about 5:57 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N4024K, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Balmorhea, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the lake while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 2010 · about 5:57 pm local time
- Place
- Balmorhea, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N4024K · no longer on the register · serial 25898
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was enroute to an unknown destination and was overflying a lake. The airplane was observed flying from the west at a low altitude and slow airspeed before beginning a left-hand turn toward the north. Witnesses observed the airplane descend in the left turn until the left wing tip contacted the water; the airplane subsequently impacted the lake. The airplane's right wing was not recovered from the lake. All other flight control surfaces and the engine were recovered and examined. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airframe or the engine.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 620.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 30, 2008
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Unknown
- Destination: Unknown
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 5:46 pm from KPEQ, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.