Amateur-built RV-6 accident near Sparks, Nevada, April 26, 2009
On April 26, 2009 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-6, registered N690V, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sparks, Nevada (Air Sailing Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to follow the pre-takeoff checklist that resulted in the canopy opening during takeoff, which created a distraction, and his failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 2009 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sparks, Nevada · Air Sailing Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-6
- Registration
- N690V · registry record · serial 20051
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane's canopy opened on the takeoff roll prior to liftoff. Noting that there was not enough remaining runway to land safely, he continued the climb to 1,000 feet where he attempted to close the canopy. He was able to partially lock the canopy, and returned to the pattern to make a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that while in the landing flare the canopy opened again, obscuring his forward view. A witness reported that the airplane bounced on touchdown, became airborne, and then touched down again on the runway. After touching down, the right wing dropped and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane then made a rapid 90-degree left turn and went up on its nose, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he used his pre-takeoff checklist and ensured that the canopy had been completely closed prior to takeoff. Both the pilot and a witness reported a quartering headwind with about a 15-knot crosswind.
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
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Passenger/crew doors › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,560 hours in all; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 31, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 944 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 5, 2008; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 965 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NV23 Sparks NV at 8:00 pm
- Destination: O61 Cameron Park CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 3,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 700 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from RNO, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.