NTSB Factual Report

On July 7, 2001, at 1412 Pacific daylight time, a Johansen/Thiessen RV-6A amateur-built airplane, N246RV, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Jackpot/Hayden Field, Jackpot, Nevada. The private pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight at the time of the accident. The cross-country flight departed Hillsboro, Oregon, earlier that day, and was destined for Jackpot for refueling. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.

The accident airplane was one of a group of four aircraft traveling together to attend a fly-in. According to the other pilots, the accident airplane completed a low pass near the airport when the airplane pitched nose up, gained altitude, then pitched nose down followed by a rapid descent until impacting terrain in a near vertical attitude. The accident site was located approximately 2 miles west of the airport.

The airplane came to rest with its empennage folded over the top of the cockpit/cabin area. The wings sustained leading edge aft crushing damage and the engine and instrument panel was displaced aft into the cockpit area. All flight control surfaces were attached and intact at the accident site. The two-bladed wooden propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange; however, the blades were destroyed. The airplane was transported to El Aero Services, Elko, Nevada, where it was examined on July 19, 2001, by the Safety Board investigator-in-charge, and a representative from the engine manufacturer. No anomalies were noted with the airplane or the engine that would have prevented their operation.

The private pilot accumulated a total of 506 hours of flight time, of which 220.7 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he obtained his last biennial flight review endorsement on June 19, 1999. He held a third-class medical certificate with no limitations, which was issued on November 2, 2000.

The experimental airplane's last condition inspection took place on November 14, 2000, at an aircraft total time of 2,773.3 hours. The tachometer and/or Hobbs meter were not located during the post-accident examination.

NTSB Probable Cause

the private pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.