Amateur-built RV 6 accident near Borger, Texas, May 11, 2018
On May 11, 2018 at about 1:27 pm local time, a 2003 amateur-built RV 6, registered N833DW, was destroyed in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Borger, Texas (Hutchinson County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing and during the subsequent aborted landing attempt in crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2018 · about 1:27 pm local time
- Place
- Borger, Texas · Hutchinson County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV 6, built 2003
- Registration
- N833DW · registry record · serial 23207
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot stated that, during approach to the airport, the weather observation system reported variable winds of 4 to 6 knots, which was less than forecast. While on short final approach for landing to runway 21, the pilot experienced "strong updrafts from unusual landforms," and when the airplane landed about halfway down the runway, he experienced "strong gusts causing swerving." The airplane was departing the side of the runway when the pilot chose to abort the landing by applying full engine power. The airplane was unable to outclimb the rising terrain off the side of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground and a fence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded weather information showed winds consistently from 220° at 23 to 32 knots, which would have resulted in a crosswind component of between 2 and 6 knots. The strong updrafts the pilot experienced would have been consistent with mechanical turbulence, which could have been confirmed by wind indications from the airport windsock(s).
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
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 277 hours in all; 180 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 22, 2018
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 405.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 1, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 327 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CMR Williams AZ at 3:30 pm
- Destination: BGD Borger TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,897 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 1:51 pm from BGD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on August 23, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Mike Seager | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Airport ASOS Weather Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Crosswind Calculation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.