Amateur-built Vans RV-6A accident near Fort Collins, Colorado, June 28, 2003
On June 28, 2003 at about 5:20 pm local time, a amateur-built Vans RV-6A, registered N29PT, was destroyed in an accident near Fort Collins, Colorado (Fort Collins Downtown Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper preflight planning/decision resulting in the fuel selector positioned improperly and fuel starvation, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor contributing to the accident was the low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2003 · about 5:20 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Collins, Colorado · Fort Collins Downtown Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vans RV-6A
- Registration
- N29PT · no longer on the register · serial 20033
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported the airplane had just taken off and was climbing to the east when they heard the engine stop. The witnesses observed the airplane turn around towards the airport, depart controlled flight, and impact the ground near the southeast corner of the airport. The witnesses also said they heard the engine sputter as the airplane was attempting to return to the airport. An examination of the airplane showed witness marks in the cockpit floor panel consistent with the fuel selector valve handle being in the "Off" position at impact. An examination of the engine intake valves and spark plugs showed evidence consistent with operating the engine with a lean mixture. On removal of the number 3 cylinder bottom spark plug, the smell of alcohol, consistent with the use of starter fluid, was evident. No evidence of fuel was found in the carburetor. No other anomalies were found. FAA toxicology testing of the pilot showed concentrations of Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Azacyclonol in urine.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,586 hours in all; 497 in this make and model; 2,052 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 28, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 508.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2002; 33.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3V5 Fort Collins CO at 5:20 pm
- Destination: 2V2 Longmont CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 5,300 ft by 44 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from FNL, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N29PT 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.