Accident Details
On December 25, 2008, about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built RV7A, registration N675RV, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while on approach to Anson County Airport (AFP) in Wadesboro, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was killed and a passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), Greensboro, North Carolina, around 1420, destined for Gainesville, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
At 1440, the airplane was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet when the pilot reported to air traffic control that he wanted to return to GSO due to an engine problem he did not consider an emergency. At 1457, the pilot stated the engine was running rough and he wanted to land at AFP. At 1458, he indicated he did not require emergency services and had AFP in sight. At 1459, the pilot was cleared to change to the airport's common traffic advisory frequency. No further communications were recorded.
The passenger, the pilot's wife, recalled that the engine was running rough with elevated oil and cylinder head temperatures. The pilot was calm. As the airplane approached the airport, it was high, and the pilot performed S-turns to descend. Her last memory was of the airplane in a steep left turn close to the ground.
The airplane impacted the ground about 1/4 mile northwest of the approach end of runway 16.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an experimental amateur-built RV7A, owned and built by the pilot. It was based at Martin State Airport, Maryland. It had a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category issued February 5, 2005, and was equipped with an Aero Sport Power IO-360-B1B engine. The airframe and engine had logged about 630 hours. A logbook entry from March 30, 2004, noted 'new engine for experimental aircraft.' Current logbooks were not located. A mechanic reported conducting an annual inspection on June 1, 2007, at 432 hours, and was unaware of additional inspections or maintenance after that.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 57, reported 1,280 hours of flight experience on his most recent FAA third class medical certificate application, issued October 4, 2006. Estimated total flight experience at the time of the accident was around 1,600 hours, including about 630 hours in the accident airplane.
Examination
An FAA inspector examined the accident site. Both wings were substantially damaged; the left wing had large accordion ripples from the outboard end to about mid-span. The left wing tip and left flap separated and were located about 20 feet from initial impact. The left forward fuselage was crushed, and the engine displaced upward and right. The propeller assembly sheared at the crankshaft flange, and the blades had light chordwise striations.
The airplane was recovered to a hangar at AFP for further examination, which verified aileron, elevator, and rudder flight control continuity. The engine was rotated via an accessory drive, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders.
On March 16, 2009, the engine was removed and examined at a maintenance facility in Star, North Carolina, by an A&P mechanic under FAA supervision. The examination revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.
Weather
A weather observation at AFP at 1500 reported wind from 060 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 18°C, dew point 10°C, altimeter 30.26 inHg.
An autopsy performed on December 26, 2008, listed the cause of death as blunt force head trauma due to airplane crash. Toxicological testing was performed.