Amateur-built RV6 accident near Coldwater, Kansas, July 20, 2018
On July 20, 2018 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built RV6, registered N306FR, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Coldwater, Kansas (Comanche County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control while landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2018 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Coldwater, Kansas · Comanche County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 Undesignat, built 2002
- Registration
- N306FR · registry record · serial 24480
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane after a cross-country flight. He reported that winds were gusty during the long, straight-in approach and that he increased airspeed to compensate for the gusts. During the approach to landing, the airplane encountered turbulent air, and a gust of wind caused the airplane to balloon about 8-12 ft above the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and said he added full power when the engine hesitated and "stuttered." The airplane settled, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane spun before it came to rest. A postimpact fire ensued, which consumed most of the cockpit and fuselage. Thermal damage precluded a thorough engine examination.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Loss of control in flight during landing defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Austin TX
- Destination: 3K8 Coldwater KS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from KP28, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 30, 2020. 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 | Record of Conversation FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | News Article | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather | PDF, 1 page | 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.