Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

November 6, 2011 · Sigmon Harvey E VANS RV 6 · N62HS

Abingdon, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Abingdon, VA
Aircraft
Sigmon Harvey E VANS RV 6
Tail Number
N62HS
Operator
Seats Frank R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12LA100

The RV-6 was equipped with a radio and the Pitts S-2C was not. Both airplanes were in the airport traffic pattern after completing a local flight, and the pilots were flying a visual approach to runway 24. The pilot of the RV-6 flew a tighter traffic pattern and made radio calls. The pilot of the Pitts flew a wider traffic pattern and did not see the RV-6 ahead and below. As the airplanes landed nearly simultaneously on runway 24, the propeller of the Pitts contacted and partially separated the empennage of the RV-6. The recorded weather at the airport, about the time of the accident, included clear skies, visibility of 10 miles, and wind from 260 degrees at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the Pitts pilot to see and avoid the RV-6 that had landed ahead. Contributing to the accident was the Pitts pilot's inability to hear the RV-6 pilot's radio calls due to the lack of a radio in the Pitts.

Full Narrative

On November 6, 2011, about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6, N62HS, and an Aviat S-2C (Pitts) collided while landing at Virginia Highlands Airport (VJI), Abingdon, Virginia. The RV-6 was substantially damaged and the Pitts sustained minor damage. The certificated private pilot onboard the RV-6 and the certificated airline transport pilot onboard the Pitts were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the local flights. The personal flights were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed both pilots. They reported that the RV-6 was equipped with a radio and the Pitts was not. Both airplanes were in the airport traffic pattern after completing a local flight, and the pilots were flying a visual approach to runway 24. The pilot of the RV-6 flew a "tighter" traffic pattern and made radio calls. The pilot of the Pitts flew a wider traffic pattern and did not see the RV-6 ahead and below. As the airplanes landed nearly simultaneously on runway 24, the propeller of the Pitts contacted and partially separated the empennage of the RV-6. The FAA inspector added that the pilots did not report the accident and he learned about it during routine surveillance of the airport. The accident was reported to the NTSB on December 5, 2011. According to their written reports, the pilot of the RV-6 stated that during landing rollout, the Pitts landed in to the rear of his airplane. The pilot of the Pitts stated that during landing rollout, as his airplane decelerated normally to 10 to 15 mph, he felt a bump, heard the propeller hit something, and shut the engine down. The recorded weather at VJI, at 1455, included clear skies, visibility 10 miles, and wind from 260 degrees at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest AirportVirginia Highlands (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length4471 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSigmon Harvey E VANS RV 6
Tail NumberN62HS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSeats Frank R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320 · Reciprocating · 150 | Lycoming · AEIO-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 59 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data