2007 Savage Air LLC EPIC LT incident near Uvalde, Texas, May 1, 2008
On May 1, 2008 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2007 Savage Air LLC EPIC LT, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N603JS, suffered minor damage in an incident during taxi (from runway) near Uvalde, Texas (Garner Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's excessive speed during a turn off the active runway to the taxiway which exceeded the lateral limits of the supporting landing gear structure resulting in the collapse of the left main gear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 1, 2008 · about 8:30 pm local time · cases in 2008
- Place
- Uvalde, Texas · Garner Field Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- 2007 Savage Air LLC EPIC LT, amateur-built
- Registration
- N603JS · registry record · serial 015
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot completed an uneventful normal landing after an approximate 45 minute instrument flight rules cross country flight. While making a right turn to clear the runway the left main landing gear collapsed. An on scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Air Safety Inspector and it was determined that the damage to the landing gear and supporting structure was minor. There was minimal surface damage to the wings and flight control surfaces. Tire skid marks that matched the width of the main gear and followed the path of the airplane was consistent with initiating a turn at high speed. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured and exited the airplane unassisted.
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
- Landing gear collapse during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Main landing gear attach sec › Failure other cases naming the landing gear
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,225 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 1,085 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 77 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, March 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 7,700 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYW Largo Vista TX at 7:45 pm
- Destination: UVA Uvalde TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 15, 5,255 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 8:29 pm from KUVA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N603JS the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N603JS on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A 151 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Garner Field · nearest airport
- Lago Vista Tx/Rusty Allen Airport · departed from
- Garner Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,235 since 1982 · 1,056 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,943 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N603JS 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/DFW08IA126.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.