Amateur-built RV-6A accident near Greeley, Colorado, June 25, 2007
On June 25, 2007 at about 5:45 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6A, registered N94KA, was destroyed in an accident near Greeley, Colorado (Greeley-Weld County 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 failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2007 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Greeley, Colorado · Greeley-Weld County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6A
- Registration
- N94KA · no longer on the register · serial 22162
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness observed the airplane on a "close and tight" downwind leg for the runway at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above ground level. While on the downwind leg, the airplane was in "slow flight in a nose high attitude." The witness observed the airplane enter a steep left turn from the downwind to base leg, and "at that time, I thought it was going to stall and spin.". The airplane's wings rolled level and the airplane began to porpoise. During the porpoise, the witness noted hearing changes to the engine power. The airplane then entered another steep left turn with the wings almost vertical to terrain. "I could see the entire top of the plane during the turn and the engine RPM was increased dramatically, maybe to full power." The witness observed the "nose pitch up and the right wing stall...as if a falling leaf." Subsequently, the airplane entered a spin (1.5 rotations) and impacted terrain. The witness stated that during his observation "the engine was operating under power the entire time." The airplane came to rest inverted in grass terrain adjacent to a drainage ditch approximately 1/2 mile from the threshold of the runway and was destroyed by post impact fire. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 819 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 814 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 980.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: EIK Erie CO at 5:15 pm
- Destination: GXY Greeley CO
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from GXY, 1 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.
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.