Amateur-built RV-6A accident near Marble Falls, Texas, October 5, 1994
On October 5, 1994 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6A, registered N600CW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marble Falls, Texas (Horseshoe Bay airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WINDS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 1994 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Marble Falls, Texas · Horseshoe Bay · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6A
- Registration
- N600CW · registry record · serial 20755
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING LANDING RUNWAY 17 THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A 'SEVERE DOWN DRAFT' AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SHORT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE AND WINGS. EVIDENCE AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE (BENT VEGETATION) REVEALED STRONG GUSTING WINDS FROM THE SOUTH. THE PILOT REPORTED WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 20 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,714 hours in all; 94 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,632 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 94 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DWH Houston TX at 4:55 pm
- Destination: 4R2 TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.