Vans RV-6A | N715PA
June 17th, 2024 | Methuen, Massachusetts
Accident Location
- City: Methuen
- State: Massachusetts
- Latitude: 42.735341
- Longitude: -71.120998
- Airport ID: KLWN
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N715PA
- Make: Vans
- Model: RV-6A
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: Yes
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Unknown
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age:
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Unknown
- IFR Rating: Unknown
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: Unknown
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: June 17th, 2024
- Time: 2:15 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Initial Climb
- Total People Onboard: 1
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: ERA24FA265
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 20) ROTOT, U-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot encountered a reduction of thrust after takeoff, or an intermittent engine problem, and elected to turn towards a river, and eventually did land in a river, whereupon the aircraft flipped upside down and the pilot was trapped inside. Numerous witness accounts heard the engine both running rough and cutting in and out prior to the landing in the river. About 1411, an air traffic controller cleared the airplane to land, and the pilot acknowledged. Less than 1 minute later, the pilot said he was having a “problem”, and the controller cleared the airplane to land on any runway. The pilot transmitted “oh, oh”, and there were no further communications from airplane.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be prepared for thrust related problems during and after takeoff, and avoid flight towards water when the risk of flipping over and drowning is high. The DTSB recommends lowering the nose, maintaining DMMS, and making slight turns towards the most suitable open non water type terrain for an off field landing.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.