Amateur-built RV6 accident near Ocracoke, North Carolina, July 25, 2021
On July 25, 2021 at about 5:16 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built RV6, registered N464DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Ocracoke, North Carolina (Ocracoke Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to perform a go-around during the unstabilized approach, which resulted in the airplane landing too far down the runway, and a subsequent runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2021 · about 5:16 pm local time
- Place
- Ocracoke, North Carolina · Ocracoke Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 A, built 2002
- Registration
- N464DM · registry record · serial 60329
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that windspeed at the nearest weather reporting facility was 14-16 knots, and the windsock at the accident airport indicated a 90° crosswind. He stated that his approach was “too high and fast”, and he crossed the runway threshold about 70 ft above ground level (AGL) at a speed of 90 mph. About ½ way down the runway, the airplane was about 30 ft AGL at a speed of about 45 mph, and “oscillating 20° either side of center.” The pilot believed he could “straighten the flight path and touch down in time to stop” before the end of the runway. However, a gust of wind “would not allow the aircraft to slow” and it ran off the end of the runway about 20 mph, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the rudder, and the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 879 hours in all; 353 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 24, 2020
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,161 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 2021; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 1,161 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MCZ Williamston NC at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 2,998 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 12:51 pm from HSE, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHSE 251651Z AUTO 18009KT 10SM CLR 30/21 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP181 T03000211
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 29, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - NTSB Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of FAA Interview with Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.