NTSB LAX96LA231 — 1996-06-14 · INYOKERN, California, United States

Aircraft involved

N43BL Vans RV6 Serious

Probable cause & findings

the pilot's failure to maintain control of his airplane and stalled while intentionally performing a low altitude maneuver on base leg in a high density altitude environment.

Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On June 14, 1996, at 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Vans RV6, N43BL, experimental amateur built airplane, experienced an in-flight loss of control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern at the Inyokern Airport, Inyokern, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane impacted level terrain and was destroyed. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Inyokern at 1435. In the pilot's accident report, he described the events leading up to the accident. The pilot reported that following takeoff from runway 33 he climbed to 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and performed an aileron roll. He then flew back to Inyokern and entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 33. The pilot reported that he announced his position and turned from the downwind to the left base leg. At this time he felt that he "needed more room" between his airplane and the end of the runway. The pilot indicated he then "made a turn to the right" (away from the landing threshold). Immediately thereafter, the plane buffeted and aileron and elevator control were lost. The pilot reported that he "gave the RV6 full (engine) power." The airplane stalled, it "broke to the left," and despite application of full right rudder the airplane crashed.

STATEMENTS FROM WITNESSES

According to one witness, during the last 20 to 30 seconds of the airplane's flight it entered a left turn with a bank angle which varied from 10 to 20 degrees. The airplane's maximum elevation over the ground was 150 feet. The witness stated that as the airplane turned through 270 degrees of arc its left bank angle increased to 80 or 90 degrees. The airplane's descent rate increased, and it collided with the terrain while still in a left wing low attitude. No smoke or fire was observed during the flight. A second witness reported observing the airplane while on the base leg. This witness estimated that initially the airplane was between 200 and 300 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane entered a left 45-degree angle of bank, and descended between 100 and 200 feet agl. As the airplane continued its left turn, the bank angle increased to about 80 degrees. The witness reported that during the airplane's last seconds "of controlled flight" its altitude had decreased to within 100 feet above the ground and then the airplane appeared to stall. The pilot rated passenger in the right seat stated that he believed the aircraft had been pushed beyond its capabilities and dropped out of the sky. He felt the aircraft buffet during the turn just before the impact.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

According to the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport/Facility Directory, the Inyokern airport's elevation is 2,455 feet msl. The recommended traffic pattern altitude is 3,255 feet msl, or 800 feet agl. The temperature was about 105 degrees Fahrenheit and the density altitude was about 6,000 feet. The pilot and pilot rated passenger departed and climbed to 6,500 feet msl, and performed an aileron roll. The pilot returned to the airport and entered the landing traffic pattern. After turning onto the base leg, he decided he needed more room between the airplane and the end of the runway, so he turned away from the runway. During this maneuver, the airplane buffeted and aileron and elevator control were lost. The pilot further reported that he applied full engine power, but the airplane stalled and crashed into the ground. Two witnesses observed the airplane on the base leg, and while maneuvering during its last few seconds of flight. Both of the witnesses estimated that the airplane was not flying higher than 300 feet agl. The witnesses reported seeing the aircraft turn away from the landing runway, enter a steep left bank turn and then turn back toward the runway. Both witnesses stated that during the turn/maneuver the bank angle increased to at least 80 degrees. The airplane appeared to stall and then descend into the terrain. The pilot rated passenger said the pilot pushed the aircraft beyond its' capabilities. The temperature was about 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a density altitude of about 6,000 feet. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1996_LAX96LA231.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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