Vans RV-6A | N715PA

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot encountered a reduction of thrust after takeoff, or an intermittent engine problem, and elected to turn towards a river, and eventually did land in a river, whereupon the aircraft flipped upside down and the pilot was trapped inside. Numerous witness accounts heard the engine both running rough and cutting in and out prior to the landing in the river. About 1411, an air traffic controller cleared the airplane to land, and the pilot acknowledged. Less than 1 minute later, the pilot said he was having a “problem”, and the controller cleared the airplane to land on any runway. The pilot transmitted “oh, oh”, and there were no further communications from airplane.

Probable Cause issued 8/20/2026 – 26 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to manage the available fuel supply, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be prepared for thrust related problems during and after takeoff, and avoid flight towards water when the risk of flipping over and drowning is high. The DTSB recommends lowering the nose, maintaining DMMS, and making slight turns towards the most suitable open non water type terrain for an off field landing.