Flight History
On June 28, 2014, at about 1615 central daylight time, a Skybolt experimental amateur-built airplane (registration N619PD) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain west of the Mid-Way Regional Airport (KJWY) in Midlothian/Waxahachie, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight had originated at approximately 1600.
Earlier that morning, around 0930, the pilot completed a 1.5-hour briefing with an aerobatic judge and pilot. They discussed maneuvers to be flown, an altitude floor of 800 feet, and density altitude effects. The pilot intended to perform both competition and non-competition maneuvers to obtain a Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card, seeking critique for a barnstorming airshow.
The pilot arrived at the airport around 1400 and flew the agreed maneuvers without issues. About 15 minutes into the flight, he attempted a new maneuver, a "shoulder roll," which he had practiced previously. At approximately 3,000 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane dove and leveled off at 2,000 feet agl, then pitched up to a 30-degree nose-up attitude. The airplane rolled right to an inverted position, yawed right (clockwise from the observer's perspective), and rotated 2.5 times. The judge perceived the airplane "ran out of energy" in a knife-edge position, then transitioned to inverted and entered a clockwise spin, completing 3 to 4 revolutions. The judge heard power reduce, but not to idle. After half a turn of slowing rotation, the spin accelerated again at about 1,400 feet agl and continued until impact. The judge observed the entire event from across the runway.
Other witnesses reported seeing the airplane in a flat spin, estimating 3 to 4 revolutions before impact. One witness noted no pre-impact failure or issue with the airplane.
Pilot Information
The 48-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and glider ratings. His certificate was limited: "Not valid for carriage of persons for hire in airplanes on cross-country flights of more than 50 nautical miles or at night." He was issued a second-class medical certificate on June 2, 2014, with the limitation "Must wear corrective lenses." At the time of application, he reported 918 total flight hours, with 20 hours in the previous 6 months. A logbook review showed at least 617.2 hours logged between 1996 and 2012. He received a spin endorsement and completed a flight review in 2012. The logbook reflected only 5 hours in the accident make and model, but investigators estimated he had at least 250 hours of experience in that airplane.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the 2010 experimental amateur-built airplane (serial number 001) was manufactured by the pilot. It was issued a special airworthiness certificate for experimental operations. The airplane was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-B4A engine rated at 180 horsepower at 2,700 rpm, equipped with a 2-blade Performance Propeller. A friend stated the pilot was attentive to weight and balance, having changed the propeller and moved the center of gravity aft by 4 inches via a modified engine mount to improve roll rate.
The airplane was maintained under a condition inspection program. A condition inspection was completed on January 1, 2014, at an airframe total time of 230.56 hours. The airplane had flown about 28 hours since then, totaling 258.27 hours. Flight testing was completed on February 13, 2011, at 25.1 hours, with aerobatic maneuvers including loops, rolls, spins, and combinations. The propeller was changed on September 1, 2012, and tested on October 3, 2012, including upright and inverted spins, with no adverse effects noted. No logbook entries addressed the engine mount modification or weight and balance change.
Meteorological Information
The 1615 METAR at KJWY reported wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet agl, broken clouds at 5,500 feet agl, temperature 31°C, dew point 20°C, and altimeter 29.89 inches Hg. Density altitude was calculated at 3,058 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest inverted west of runway 18 at an elevation of 713.7 feet. All major components (wings, engine, propeller, fuselage, empennage) were at the impact site. The fuselage was crushed, reducing occupant space. Both bi-wings sustained impact damage; the left upper wing separated partially and showed accordion crushing. The right aileron partially separated. The engine and propeller remained attached; the wooden propeller blades were broken. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Spark plugs were clean and normal. Engine continuity was confirmed except for the number one cylinder, which had impact-damaged pushrods.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on June 29, 2014, concluded the cause of death was blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests were negative for all substances tested; cyanide testing was not performed.