Amateur-built RV6-A accident near Columbia, California, May 20, 2010
On May 20, 2010 at about 11:05 pm local time, a amateur-built RV6-A, registered N578RJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Columbia, California (Columbia Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind and improper landing flare.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2010 · about 11:05 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, California · Columbia Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6-A
- Registration
- N578RJ · no longer on the register · serial 60373
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-rated passenger seated in the right seat reported that, just prior to landing, the pilot listened to the airport's automated weather observing system, which reported a 90-degree crosswind of 7 knots gusting to 14 knots. During the landing sequence, and just before touchdown, the airplane suddenly lost altitude and landed hard, striking the left wing and landing gear on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. The airplane bounced a second time before impacting and coming to rest against three unoccupied, parked airplanes. Postaccident examination verified flight control continuity throughout the rudder, elevator, right aileron, and left flap. The damage to the left aileron outboard hinge and right flap control arm were both consistent with impact damage.
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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) 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
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 348 hours in all; 116 in this make and model; 103 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 260 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 24, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 211 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 25, 2009; 211 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-EXP (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3O1 Gustine CA at 10:20 pm
- Destination: O22 Columbia CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,670 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:05 pm from O22
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
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.