Amateur-built RV-10 accident near Ledbetter, Texas, March 9, 2008
On March 9, 2008 at about 5:47 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-10, registered N410MR, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ledbetter, Texas. It was a personal 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
- March 9, 2008 · about 5:47 pm local time
- Place
- Ledbetter, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-10
- Registration
- N410MR · no longer on the register · serial 40043
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident pilot attended a "fly-in" breakfast, and while there had mentioned to several people that he wasn't feeling well and he was probably coming down with a cold. A pilot who departed about 15-20 minutes before the accident pilot, reported that they talked about doing a GPS approach on the return flight and that they would meet after landing. The airplane (and pilot) did not show up, and a search was initiated. The airplane was located in a wooded area 2 days later. The airplane impacted the ground in a near vertical angle and at a high rate of speed. There was no reported communication or distress calls from the accident pilot. Review of the airplane's radar track shows the airplane shortly after its departure, climbing and heading southwest. The radar plots also revealed that once the aircraft was established at an altitude of 2,600 feet, the altitude did not vary, nor did the aircraft make any major heading changes. The last radar return was at 12:47, the airplane appeared to be in level flight at 2,600 feet. An aircraft wreckage lay-out was conducted; most of the cabin area and airplane had disintegrated during the accident sequence. All four corners of the aircraft were accounted for. The pilot and passenger's main cabin doors were fragmented and found with the wreckage debris. The top of the fuselage cabin, where the two main doors attached was located, and the four hinges that attach the doors were in place. Examination of the flight control components revealed breaks and fractures consistent with overload separation. The engine displayed significant impact damage. No evidence of an in-flight fire was noted with either the fuselage or engine areas. Nor was a reason for the loss of control found. An autopsy was preformed on the pilot by the Medical Examiner. The cause of death was listed as undetermined.
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
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,150 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 195 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aero Sport IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 11R Brenham TX
- Destination: 50R Lockhart TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 13 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 12:45 pm from KGYB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.