Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN10LA184
STUTESMAN CHARLES LEE RV-6 — Balmorhea, TX
| Date | April 4, 2010 |
| Location | Balmorhea, TX |
| Aircraft | STUTESMAN CHARLES LEE RV-6 (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 77 |
| Pilot total time | 20,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the lake while maneuvering at low altitude.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C
What happened
The pilot was enroute to an unknown destination and was overflying a lake. The airplane was observed flying from the west at a low altitude and slow airspeed before beginning a left-hand turn toward the north. Witnesses observed the airplane descend in the left turn until the left wing tip contacted the water; the airplane subsequently impacted the lake. The airplane's right wing was not recovered from the lake. All other flight control surfaces and the engine were recovered and examined. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airframe or the engine.