Amateur-built RLU-1A accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, August 31, 2002
On August 31, 2002 at about 4:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RLU-1A, registered N3184, was substantially damaged in an accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada (North Las Vegas airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering in a canyon.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2002 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- North Las Vegas, Nevada · North Las Vegas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RLU-1A
- Registration
- N3184 · no longer on the register · serial 163
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While maneuvering around a large rock feature, the airplane entered a blind/box canyon and collided with the rising terrain. The rear seat passenger/pilot had been flying the airplane. The pilot/owner detected downdrafts, and the airplane could not climb fast enough for the diminishing altitude. He only attempted to level the wings and land straight ahead. According to witness statements, the airplane was climbing over rising terrain and had begun to waver. Estimates of the altitude varied from 75 to 100 feet above a parking lot (elevation 3,500 feet), which was approximately 1 1/2 miles below the impact site. Hikers closer to the area had also seen the airplane as it made its approach overhead. They reported that the airplane appeared unstable as it flew up the canyon. They ran over to help and observed fuel leaking from the airplane. The engine had been running until impact, one witness said, but no fire ensued.
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: 2,361 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 2,324 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 2, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Crew member
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 6 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 16, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,017 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 17, 2001; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VGT North Las Vegas NV at 3:45 pm
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KVGT, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N3184 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.