Amateur-built RLU-1A accident near Jean, Nevada, June 10, 1984
On June 10, 1984 at about 5:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RLU-1A, registered N3184, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jean, Nevada (Jean airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 1984 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Jean, Nevada · Jean · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- 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
THE ACFT DEPARTED ON RWY 20 AND TURNED CROSSWIND AT AN ALT OF 200 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING DOWNWIND FOR A NON-STANDARD TRAFFIC PATTERN AT AN AIRSPEED OF 60 TO 65 MPH THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED THE DESCENT EVEN THOUGH HE APPLIED BACK PRESS TO TRY AND CLIMB. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A SLIGHT NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PLT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE BELIEVED THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR & WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,880 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 1,640 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 400 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 28, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OL7 at 5:25 pm
- Destination: LAS Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 4,500 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.
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.