Amateur-built RV6 accident near Goldsby, Oklahoma, April 8, 2023
On April 8, 2023 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built RV6, registered N48PS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Goldsby, Oklahoma (David Jay Perry airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The engine electronic ignition system became disconnected, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 8, 2023 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Goldsby, Oklahoma · David Jay Perry · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 A, built 2017
- Registration
- N48PS · no longer on the register · serial 25349
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power and turned back to the airport to land. During the “tight” left traffic pattern, the left wing contacted the runway and the pilot lost control of the airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the engine found the No. 1 electronic ignition lead was loose and detached from the ignition coil. Additionally, the ignition coil package mount bolt was loose, which would have allowed the grouping to vibrate during engine operation.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Ignition system wiring › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 512.4 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 0.3 in the last 90 days; 0.3 in the last 30 days; 364.4 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 219 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 17, 2022; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior XP-360-B1C2 (piston); 219 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,004 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 6:49 pm from KOUN
Weather report (METAR): A 08/04/2023 23:49-> METAR KOUN 082349Z 14008KT 10SM CLR 22/M03 A3007=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2024. 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, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N48PS 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.