Casualties unknown

1996-06-29: Prevatt RV-6 (N194JP) — Boulder, CO

Boulder, CO, US

On June 29, 1996, a Prevatt RV-6 (registration N194JP) was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor judgment by the pilot of the RV-6, N194JP, in that he traversed an uncontrolled airport at traffic pattern altitude, failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid each other, and an inadvertent airplane stall encountered by the pilot of the… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An RV-6 and a glider collided at traffic pattern altitude near an airport. The glider landed safely after evasive action, while the RV-6 stalled and impacted a lake.

Incident Details

A midair collision occurred between an experimental RV-6 aircraft, registered N194JP, and a glider, registered N103LM, near an airport. The RV-6 was crossing over the airport at traffic pattern altitude of 6,100 feet mean sea level (812 feet above ground level) en route to Englewood, Colorado. The glider was approaching the airport at pattern altitude and preparing to turn onto the downwind leg.

Sequence of Events

According to the investigation, the front-seat passenger in the glider shouted that an airplane was approaching directly in front. The glider pilot executed a steep left bank and deployed dive brakes as an evasive maneuver. Witnesses reported that the glider's right wing tip struck the RV-6's propeller, right main wheel, and lower cowling. The glider continued its left bank and landed safely.

After the collision, the RV-6 was observed making a steep right bank and flying toward the northwest. The RV-6 pilot transmitted a distress call on the UNICOM frequency. Witnesses then saw the RV-6 execute a steep left turn, stall, and subsequently impact a lake near the runway threshold.

Aircraft and Pilot Information

The RV-6 carried the pilot only, while the glider had two occupants: a pilot and a front-seat passenger. No further details about injuries or survival status are provided in the source. The official investigation has not stated a probable cause for the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05959. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.