Amateur-built RV6 accident near Riverside, California, July 15, 2021
On July 15, 2021 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built RV6, registered N468AC, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Riverside, California (Riverside Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2021 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Riverside, California · Riverside Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV6 A, built 2004
- Registration
- N468AC · no longer on the register · serial 60573
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the experimental, amateur built airplane was undergoing an airplane checkout and flight review. The flight instructor directed the pilot to perform a power-on stall. During the maneuver, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot immediately switched fuel tanks and was able to restart the engine and elected to return to the airport. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane for the return flight. While the airplane was on short final, the engine lost total power again. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain short of the runway and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane found a blue liquid, consistent with 100 low lead fuel, draining from the lower cowling. Several gallons of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks. During the engine examination, the engine was started and ran uneventfully for several minutes at various power settings, including full power. Further examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any pre existing mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the engine.
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 approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,096 hours in all; 7 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 15, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 8,056 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 8,056 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,200 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 1, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 1,200 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09/2, 5,401 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 26°F (-3°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from RAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 10, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpt Aircraft Logbooks - Condition Inspection | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Examination (NTSB) | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.