When Things Go Wrong, You Need To Keep Flying The Airplane...

We don't have to tell you -- but when things go wrong in flight, you have to be a 'Master Multi-Tasker' (go ahead, say that three times fast... I dare you). It is so damned easy to get tunnel vision about an item of concern that other possible hazards do not get their fair share of attention... as appears to have happened in a tragic RV-6 fatality earlier this month. 

NTSB Identification: WPR09LA378
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 01, 2009 in Caldwell, ID
Aircraft: Kenneth Gray RV-6, registration: N69KG
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 1, 2009, about 1350 mountain daylight time, an experimental built Kenneth Gray RV-6, N69KG, was destroyed following impact with terrain near the Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL), Caldwell, Idaho. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who responded to the accident site, a witness reported observing the airplane depart to the northwest, followed by hearing the engine "sputtering." The witness further reported that the pilot was turning back toward the airport when the airplane collided with a set of powerlines, which border the airport on the north. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and was consumed by a post crash fire.

The airplane was recovered to a local storage facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20090801X81437&key=1