History of Flight
On August 9, 2014, about 1310 central daylight time, an amateur-built Barger RV-7A airplane, N92BF, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Russell, Iowa. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The flight originated from Ottumwa Regional Airport (OTM) and was bound for Meadow Lake Airport (FLY) in Colorado Springs. The pilot was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Marginal visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site. The flight was on a VFR flight plan. Tracking data from a handheld GPS showed the aircraft departed OTM at 1242:18, climbing initially to about 4,500 feet. At 1304, it turned right to a westerly track. Shortly after, it began a climb to a maximum recorded altitude of 7,769 feet at 1308:15, with groundspeed slowing to 75 knots. During the climb, the track turned left and fluctuated. At 1308:15, the airplane descended in a right turn, reaching a computed groundspeed of 208 knots by 1308:57 while descending through 5,364 feet at over 3,000 feet per minute. The last data point at 1309:07 showed 4,094 feet. Over the final 52 seconds, the average descent rate exceeded 4,000 feet per minute.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 53, held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land airplane rating and no instrument rating. His second class medical certificate was issued June 14, 2014, with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. Total flight experience was 117 hours, with 33 hours in the 6 months preceding the medical exam.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was an amateur-built RV-7A, a low-wing monoplane with fixed tricycle landing gear and side-by-side seating, constructed primarily of aluminum. It was powered by a 180 horsepower Superior O-360-A1A engine and a 3-blade Catto propeller. Airspeed limitations included a never exceed speed of 230 mph, maximum structural cruising speed of 193 mph, and maneuvering speed of 142 mph.
Meteorological Information
There was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing from FAA services. At 1255 and 1315, weather at Chariton Municipal Airport (16 miles northwest) reported wind from 90-80 degrees at 4-8 knots, 9 miles visibility, and overcast ceiling at 1,300 feet agl. Temperature 22°C, dew point 19°C. At Centerville Municipal Airport (18 miles southeast), similar conditions with overcast at 1,200 feet agl.
Communications
The pilot received VFR flight following from Chicago Center. At initial contact, he reported altitude 4,500 feet msl. About 6 minutes later, communications were lost briefly but restored via another aircraft. About 1808, the controller asked about the route; the pilot responded that he had entered IMC and was "trying to get back on track." The controller advised maintaining VFR. One minute later, repeated attempts to contact the pilot failed, and no further communications were received.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a level field, resulting in fragmentation of the entire airframe. Leading edges of both wings were crushed rearward to the main spar, indicating a near vertical impact. All primary flight control surfaces were found; examination revealed no preimpact defects. The engine rotated with compression on all cylinders, and magnetos produced spark. The carburetor showed no preimpact defects. The mechanical fuel pump had separated and could not be functionally tested; another pump was found in a bag. The electric fuel pump operated normally when powered.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology detected ethanol in muscle (39 mg/dL) and liver (18 mg/dL).
Additional Information
The airplane had undergone maintenance on August 4, 2014, at a facility in Cumberland, Wisconsin, for erratic fuel pressure readings. The mechanic replaced the mechanical fuel pump, but a subsequent flight test showed persistent erratic cockpit readings. An external gauge confirmed the discrepancy. The mechanic provided tape for the pilot to create a placard for the erratic gauge.