Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Trinity Center, California, May 5, 1993
On May 5, 1993 at about 9:00 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N15TP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Trinity Center, California (Trinity Center airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT FAILURE TO OBTAIN ENOUGH AIRSPEED FOR TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND HIS FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 1993 · about 9:00 pm local time · cases in 1993
- Place
- Trinity Center, California · Trinity Center · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N15TP · registry record · serial 20141
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOLD A FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR THAT HE LIFTED OFF THE GROUND TOO SOON, CAUGHT A GUST OF WIND, DRIFTED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND HIT SOME BRUSH WHILE STILL AIRBORNE. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WINDS AT 4-8 KTS. THE PILOT'S WIFE SAID THAT THERE WAS A GUST OF WIND, AND SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HER HUSBAND COULD NOT CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT TOLD THE FAA THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, JUST HIS TECHNIQUE.
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
- Flight time: 451 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 451 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 62 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 1993; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 3S8 Grants Pass OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from RDD, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N15TP on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D 65 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Trinity Center Airport · nearest airport
- Grants Pass Airport · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,098 in the last ten years
- California 27,686 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/LAX93LA201.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.