Amateur-built RV6A accident near Green Valley, Arizona, March 21, 2015
On March 21, 2015 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 1998 amateur-built RV6A, registered N811KM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Green Valley, Arizona (Ruby Star Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2015 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Green Valley, Arizona · Ruby Star Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6A, built 1998
- Registration
- N811KM · no longer on the register · serial 60008
- 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, after the airplane took off and reached an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He then initiated a right turn toward the airport. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and trees adjacent to the runway and nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel pump power wire was disconnected at its terminal and that the left fuel pump power wire was partially disconnected from its terminal, which would result in no positive fuel pressure being supplied to the engine; the engine was not equipped with an engine-driven fuel pump. The examination also revealed that the crimp on the terminal connector for the right fuel pump power wire was likely incorrect, which allowed the wire to disconnect from its terminal; however, it could not be determined how the left fuel pump power wire became partially disconnected from its terminal. No additional anomalies were found during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the disconnection of both fuel pump power wires led to a loss of fuel pressure to the engine and the subsequent loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Inoperative
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Electrical pwr sys wiring › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 601 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 441 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 970 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 20, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Gmc V6 (piston); 970 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 14AZ Green Valley AZ at 4:20 pm
- Destination: Tucson AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 4,300 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KTUS, 16 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N811KM 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.