History of Flight
On September 21, 2012, about 1445 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV 7A, N423RA, was destroyed after colliding with terrain near the Laramie Regional Airport (LAR), Laramie, Wyoming. The airplane was registered to the pilot, a certified commercial pilot who was the sole occupant and sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight, operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Duluth International Airport (DLH), Duluth, Minnesota, about 0926, with LAR as its destination.
Radar track data showed the flight climbed to 8,000 feet mean sea level (msl) at 0934, then to 10,000 feet msl at 1228, and finally to 12,000 feet msl at 1339. Descent began at 1438. The airplane maintained a consistent southwest course toward LAR. A family member reported that the pilot had planned the trip and mentioned he could probably make it without an en route fuel stop; no refueling stop occurred.
Witnesses reported that as the airplane approached LAR, it overflew runway 21 and made a left-hand traffic pattern. During the turn from base to final approach, about one-quarter mile from the approach end of runway 21, the airplane impacted terrain, and a fire erupted. An off-duty airline pilot driving nearby observed the airplane on final approach at about 300–400 feet above ground level (agl). He noted wing rock resembling a Dutch roll, then a left wing dip followed by a rapid right wing drop, leading to a spin and high-rate descent. The aircraft hit nose-down flat, with the right wing impacting just after the nose. The wreckage came to rest nearly 180 degrees from the original direction.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 79, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also possessed an expired flight instructor certificate. His most recent second-class FAA medical certificate was issued April 18, 2011, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision. On the medical application, he reported 5,000 total flight hours and 40 hours in the previous 6 months. His personal logbook was not obtained. Maintenance records indicated 35.1 hours flown during Phase One flight testing; no additional make-and-model time was noted.
Aircraft Information
The accident pilot built the experimental Van's RV 7A, a single-engine, side-by-side, tricycle-gear kit airplane, serial number 71227. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-B1A engine rated at 160 horsepower and had a fuel capacity of 42 US gallons. A Special Airworthiness Certificate and Experimental Amateur-Built Operating Limitations were issued November 4, 2011. First flight was November 5, 2011, and Phase One was completed March 22, 2012, at 35.3 total hours in service.
Fueling records from Monaco Air at DLH showed the airplane was last refueled on September 14, 2012, with 12.5 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel.
Meteorological Information
At 1453, the LAR weather reporting facility reported wind 350 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 24 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 22°C; dew point -4°C; and an altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane impacted level terrain about 400 feet northeast of the approach end of runway 21. The impact attitude was consistent with a steep right-wing-down, nose-down attitude. A post-impact fire consumed the cabin and cockpit areas and caused significant thermal damage to both wings. The wreckage came to rest upright, facing southeast, perpendicular to the extended runway centerline. The empennage remained relatively intact aft of the aft cabin bulkhead; all forward areas were destroyed or substantially damaged.
The right wing separated from the fuselage and exhibited accordion crush signatures on its forward outboard leading edge, consistent with initial impact. The aileron and flap remained attached. The wing fuel tank was breached. The left wing sustained significant impact damage and partially separated; its inboard two-thirds were destroyed. The aileron and flap were attached, but the fuel tank was destroyed.
The engine came to rest upright, partially separated from its mounts, with impact and thermal damage. The propeller separated and was found about 30 feet east of the main wreckage; both blades remained attached to the hub. One blade was buried in the terrain, the other visible above the surface.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on September 22, 2012, attributed the cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing at the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs.
Tests and Research
The airplane's Electronics International FP-5L digital fuel flow monitor was examined by the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division, but results were inconclusive. A detailed postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, supervised by a Lycoming Engines air safety investigator, revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.