Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Carlsbad, New Mexico, February 28, 2007
On February 28, 2007 at about 10:23 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N320TX, was destroyed in an accident near Carlsbad, New Mexico. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2007 · about 10:23 pm local time
- Place
- Carlsbad, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N320TX · no longer on the register · serial 20083
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A buyer had recently purchased the airplane and the accident pilot was ferrying the airplane from California to the new owner’s residence in Virginia, when the airplane was reported as overdue/missing. Several months later, the missing airplane was located in a remote area of New Mexico. An inspection of the wreckage revealed that all four corners of the aircraft were accounted for. The fuselage, wings, engine, landing gear and, empennage structure were identified along with all of the control surface structures. The engine was partially buried into the ground, and the leading edge/ribs of the aircraft were crushed in an accordion fashion. Additionally, the wreckage was found to be centralized in one area. A follow-on examination of the engine and airframe failed to identify any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. A review of radar information showed the last radar hit of the airplane at an altitude of 7,400 feet heading eastbound. The weather was VFR; however, several In-Flight Advisories (AIRMETs) were in effect for the airplane’s route of flight for low visibility conditions, moderated turbulence, and surface winds in excess of 30 knots.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 24,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 816 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 2, 2007; 556 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Tehachapi CA
- Destination: W66 Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: not reported
- Wind: from 250° at 53 knots, gusting 65
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point -8°F (-22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.54 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 am from KGDP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.