Probable cause
An in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting a day visual flight rules (VFR) flight over a sparsely populated desert area. The accident site was located about 170 miles southwest of the intended destination airport. Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with a left wing low impact with terrain. The distance between the first identified point of contact with terrain to the main wreckage was about 34 feet in length. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical anomalies. Weather conditions in the area of the accident included clear sky and light winds with visibility of 10 statute miles.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for SEA08LA137 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 25, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tolani Lake, Arizona
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV-4
- N-number
- N6290F
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.