Amateur-built VANS RV 3A and amateur-built RV-3A accident near Spokane, Washington, July 28, 2017
On July 28, 2017 at about 8:15 pm local time, 2 aircraft, amateur-built VANS RV 3A (N16MR) and amateur-built RV-3A (N6GT), were involved in the same accident near Spokane, Washington (Fairchild Afb airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance and visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in his airplane colliding with the stationary airplane.
The other pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance and visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in his airplane colliding with the stationary airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2017 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Spokane, Washington · Fairchild Afb · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Amateur-built VANS RV 3A UNDESIGNAT, built 1988
- Registration
- N16MR · registry record · serial 811-3
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built RV-3A NO SERIES, built 1983
- Registration
- N6GT · registry record · serial 811-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built VANS RV 3A final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots reported that, following a formation flight and landing of four airplanes and while taxiing to park, the lead airplane reduced power to idle, and the engine quit. After multiple attempts to restart the engine, the lead pilot signaled the other pilots to pass on the left side and continue to park. As the second airplane taxied past, the third airplane followed. The pilots added that the third airplane's pilot had limited forward visibility due to the nose attitude of the airplane and that the pilot was unaware that the lead airplane was stationary. Subsequently, the third airplane passed the lead airplane with insufficient clearance, which resulted in the third airplane's right wing colliding with the lead airplane's left elevator and the third airplane's propeller striking the lead airplane's left wing. The lead airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes 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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built RV-3A final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots reported that, following a formation flight and landing of four airplanes and while taxiing to park, the lead airplane pilot reduced power to idle, and the engine quit. After multiple attempts to restart the engine, the lead pilot signaled the other pilots to pass on the left side and continue to park. As the second airplane taxied past, the third airplane followed. The pilots added that the third airplane's pilot had limited forward visibility due to the airplane's nose attitude and that the pilot was unaware that the lead airplane was stationary. Subsequently, the third airplane passed the lead airplane with insufficient clearance, which resulted in the third airplane's right wing and propeller colliding with the lead airplane's left elevator and the third airplane's propeller striking the lead airplane's left wing. The lead airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplanes 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 for the amateur-built VANS RV 3A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Expectation/assumption › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Visibility › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,446 hours in all; 1,015 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,367 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 10, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,105 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 3, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior SLO-320-A1XC2 (piston); 892 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKA Spokane WA at 7:55 pm
- Destination: SKA Spokane WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 7:58 pm from KSKA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built RV-3A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Expectation/assumption › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,462 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command; 2,900 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 22, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,349.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 12, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-L-320EIB (piston); 725 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKA Spokane WA at 7:50 pm
- Destination: SKA Spokane WA
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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 N16MR the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
2025-09-27WPR25LA299 · accident near Torrington, WY · substantial damage · serious injuries
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.