Accident Overview
On March 9, 2008, at approximately 1247 central daylight time, an amateur-built Ritter RV-10 airplane, N410MR, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while in cruise flight near Ledbetter, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. A flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The 71-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from Brenham Municipal Airport (11R) in Brenham, Texas, with Lockhart, Texas (50R) as its intended destination.
Pilot and Preflight Information
The accident pilot attended a "fly-in" breakfast at 11R and mentioned to several people that he was not feeling well, possibly coming down with a cold. A pilot who departed about 15-20 minutes before the accident pilot, also heading to 50R, reported that they discussed performing a GPS approach into 50R and planned to meet after landing. The airplane did not arrive at its destination.
Search and Wreckage Location
An ALNOT (alert notice) was issued for the missing airplane, and a search was initiated. The airplane was located on March 11, 2008, in a wooded area about 9 miles east of Giddings, Texas. There were no reported communications or distress calls from the accident pilot.
Impact and Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the airplane impacted the ground in a near-vertical angle at a high rate of speed. The aircraft fragmented on impact with the ground and trees. The wreckage was retrieved and transported to a salvage yard for further investigation. An examination by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge at Air Salvage of Dallas on April 3, 2008, revealed that most of the cabin area and airplane had disintegrated. All four corners of the aircraft were accounted for. The fuselage, wings, engine, landing gear, and empennage structure were identified, along with all control surface structures. The empennage was torn from the fuselage. The left wing attachment bolts were in place, but the left wing spar had separated into several pieces. Control continuity was established from the rudder to the foot pedals. Flight control components showed breaks and fractures consistent with overload separation. The fuel selector valve, with impact damage, was found positioned halfway between the left and right fuel tank positions. The engine had significant impact damage, with extensive cracking consistent with impact; the crankshaft could not be rotated. Several pieces of the 3-bladed composite/wood propeller were located, with the hub attached to the engine flange. No evidence of an in-flight fire was noted.
Radar and Autopsy Findings
Review of radar track data showed the airplane shortly after departure from 11R climbing and heading southwest. Once established at an altitude of 2,600 feet, the altitude remained constant, and no major heading changes occurred. The last radar return was at 12:47, with the airplane in level flight at 2,600 feet. An autopsy performed by the Travis County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as undetermined. The report stated, "It is unclear whether or not [the pilot] was alive at the time of the crash."
Weather Conditions
At 1245, the automated weather observing system at Giddings-Lee County Airport (GYB) reported wind from 150 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots; visibility 10 miles; an overcast sky at 6,500 feet; temperature 64 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 50 degrees Fahrenheit; and an altimeter setting of 30.17 inches of mercury.
Pilot Experience
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and an instrument rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in September 2007, at which time he reported 1,150 total hours of flight experience.