History of Flight
On April 4, 2009, at about 1848 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Howard KR-2, registration N456CH, was destroyed by fire during an off-airport landing. The certificated private pilot was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight that departed Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD) at approximately 1825. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane was operating under Phase 1 flight testing Experimental Operating Limitations issued by the FAA, which required it to remain within 25 nautical miles of VLD until accumulating at least 40 hours of logged flight time.
During the flight, the pilot contacted the VLD air traffic control tower (ATCT) and reported smoke entering the cockpit while about 9 miles from the airport. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported a fire in the cockpit, and no further communication was received.
According to a pilot friend who had performed the first two flights in the airplane, the accident flight was the third flight for the airplane and the first for the accident pilot. The friend helped install the engine and conducted a 1.7-hour test flight on February 21, 2009, to verify oil temperatures, pressures, and controls. After that flight, two discrepancies were noted: the altimeter was locked at 2,500 feet above mean sea level, and the fuel valve on the 15-gallon header tank exhibited blue staining consistent with 100LL aviation fuel. The friend also stated that the accident pilot had installed a communication radio and a cigarette lighter about one week before the accident. The accident pilot had 10 to 15 hours of flight experience in a KR-2S.
Personnel Information
FAA records show the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on May 20, 2008. A logbook found at the hangar indicated 252 total flight hours, with the last entry dated July 21, 2008, recording 2.0 hours in a Cessna 172N, which also served as his most recent flight review.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 2008 and issued a special airworthiness certificate on August 8, 2008. It was equipped with a GM Corvair six-cylinder 100-horsepower engine and a Prince P-Tip wood and composite propeller. The aircraft maintenance logbooks were not located.
Meteorological Information
The 1853 recorded weather observation at VLD, about 1.7 miles northeast of the accident site, included calm winds, clear skies, temperature 24°C, dew point 9°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury.
Communications
At 1825, the accident airplane requested taxi clearance for a VFR departure west to the practice area. At 1844:46, the pilot contacted VLD ATCT. At 1844:56, he stated he needed to land immediately due to smoke in the cockpit, being about 9 miles out. At 1847:50, he reported a fire inside and requested a fire truck. At 1848:55, another airplane reported a large puff of smoke on the ground southwest of the airport.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane was found beneath a tree along a fence row, approximately 1.7 statute miles southwest of the airport. The structure, made of wood and foam/fiberglass, exhibited extensive fire damage. A small portion of the left wingtip was in an adjacent tree, and a landing gear wheel was found a few feet from the main wreckage. The airplane was consumed by both in-flight and postimpact fire. Flight control continuity could not be confirmed due to the extensive damage.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiners Office determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma. The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed toxicological tests; the blood test revealed a 12 percent carbon monoxide level, while other tests were negative.