What happened
On May 23, 2008, an experimental light sport weight-shift aircraft, an Aviate Raptor bearing registration N74TK, crashed into trees and the ground near Bealeton, Virginia. The flight departed from Warrenton Air Park (7VG0) at approximately 11:20 EDT for a local personal flight under visual meteorological conditions.
Witnesses at the scene reported various observations of the descent. One witness described hearing the engine sputtering and popping before falling silent, followed by seeing the aircraft descend straight down. Another witness reported seeing the aircraft spinning out of control and hearing a sound similar to a small explosion or gunfire upon impact.
The pilot, a 43-year-old commercial pilot, was the sole occupant of the aircraft and sustained 1 fatal injury.