Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB SEA08LA158
Mauck RV-6A — Sierraville, CA
| Date | July 2, 2008 |
| Location | Sierraville, CA |
| Aircraft | Mauck RV-6A (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 | 37 |
| Pilot total time | 167 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | 68 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low visibility-Not specified - F
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Haze/smoke-Not specified - F
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Not specified
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-(general)-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
The airplane was observed maneuvering at a low altitude over a sparsely populated wooded area during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions. There were no known witnesses to the accident sequence. Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with level attitude, high-speed impact with trees and terrain. The wreckage debris path was about 200 feet in length and all major components of the airplane were located within the debris path. A United States Forest Service lookout tower personnel, located about 12 miles east southeast of the accident site stated that around mid day, visibility was about 1/4 to 1/2 miles with heavy smoke in the area. A local law enforcement officer reported that the day of the accident, visibility was marginal due to smoke in the area of the accident. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.