Amateur-built RV6 accident near Fordyce, Arkansas, December 5, 2023
On December 5, 2023 at about 10:45 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built RV6, registered N600VS, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Fordyce, Arkansas (Fordyce Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point following an unidentified electrical system failure and subsequent partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane in an unairworthy condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 5, 2023 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fordyce, Arkansas · Fordyce Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 A, built 2006
- Registration
- N600VS · registry record · serial W006
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two pilots who had just purchased the experimental airplane planned to fly it without a recent condition inspection and without a ferry permit to their home airport. During the flight, the airplane sustained a partial loss of engine power. They diverted the flight to an alternate airport, where they attempted to land the airplane. They were unable to extend the wing flaps during the approach for landing and performed a forward slip to decrease altitude. The airplane touched down about halfway down the runway and then overran the runway departure end, where it nosed over in a grass area. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the airplane’s two 12V automotive batteries would not start the engine. However, the engine would start and operate when connected to an operational external battery and the fuel pump turned on. The engine would not start or operate at rated power without the fuel pump operating. An engine-driven fuel pump was not installed on this engine. It is likely that the alternator was not charging the batteries during the accident flight, and the engine ignition and pump were being operated on battery voltage, which was eventually depleted below the engine’s operating tolerances. Also, the failure of the flaps to extend was likely related to the low battery voltage. A recent and proper condition inspection would have likely found and corrected any electrical system faults.
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
- Runway excursion during landing
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › AC generator › alternator › Failure
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Copilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 15, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,350 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 6,599 as pilot in command; 1,315 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 4, 2023
- Medical certificate: None (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 557.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 21, 2020; 71.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ25 (piston); 557 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DUA Durant OK at 9:30 pm
- Destination: RNV Cleveland MS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,183 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from KCDH, 24 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCDH 052355Z AUTO 00000KT 9SM CLR 12/05 A3022 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.