History of Flight
On September 2, 2015, at about 1545 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6A, registration N216LA, impacted wooded terrain near Bon Aqua, Tennessee. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The aircraft was registered to Chelsea Aviation Enterprises LLC and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Bomar Field (SYI), Shelbyville, Tennessee, about 1400, destined for Shelby County Airport (EET), Alabaster, Alabama.
The airplane was fueled with 12 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline before departure. According to FAA information, the pilot was receiving flight following services from air traffic control. About 20 minutes after departure, while in radio and radar contact with Huntsville Approach, the pilot stopped responding to ATC as the airplane reversed course from south to north. The airplane continued north, climbed from 6,500 feet to 9,000 feet mean sea level, completed two left circuits, and then descended rapidly into terrain.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, instrument airplane, and glider. He also held a flight instructor certificate with a glider rating. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on June 10, 2015. At that time, the pilot reported no cardiac issues, and according to his wife, he was unaware of any issues. He reported a total flight experience of 1,672 hours at the medical exam. Review of the pilot's logbook indicated he had accumulated about 1,682 total flight hours at the time of the accident, with 7 hours in the preceding 90 days and 3 hours in the preceding 30 days.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, low-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane was assembled from a kit and issued an experimental airworthiness certificate in 2005. It was powered by an Aero Sport Power O-360-A2A, 180-horsepower experimental engine equipped with a Sensenich two-blade, fixed-pitch propeller. The most recent condition inspection was completed on April 12, 2015. At that time, the airframe and engine had accumulated about 147 hours since new. The airplane flew approximately 14 hours from that inspection to the accident.
Meteorological Information
Maury County Airport (MRC), Columbia, Tennessee, about 20 miles south of the accident site, reported at 1555: wind from 190 degrees at 3 knots, clear sky, visibility 10 miles.
Wreckage and Impact Information
A debris path began with freshly cut tree branches, extending on a magnetic course of about 260 degrees for 110 feet to the main wreckage. Sections of the outboard right wing were along the beginning of the debris path. The right flap and right aileron separated; the left flap and left aileron remained partially attached. The left flap was extended beyond its full travel point, and the left aileron hung from one hinge. The empennage remained intact with less damage. Control continuity was confirmed from the elevator and rudder to the cockpit controls, and from the pilot's control stick to the aileron separation points. The elevator trim cable remained attached.
The cockpit was crushed, but the pilot's seat and four-point harness were intact. The magneto switch was in the "both" position, and the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls were full forward. The engine remained partially attached; the two-blade propeller separated from the hub, with chordwise scratching on both blades—one s-bent, the other bent aft.
The engine was examined separately. Top spark plugs were removed; electrodes were intact and light gray except for the No. 3 plug, which was impact-damaged. Valve covers were removed; oil was present throughout. Crankshaft rotation via accessory gear drive confirmed camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. The oil screen and filter were free of contamination. The carburetor separated; its floats and needle were intact, and the valve was mid-range. Some fuel from the engine-driven pump was consistent with 100LL. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on September 3, 2015, by the Hickman County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries, with hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease contributing to death. The autopsy revealed up to 90 percent stenosis in the right and left anterior descending coronary arteries with thrombi. The remainder of the coronary arteries were diffusely 40 percent stenosed. Multiple fibrous plaques in the myocardium indicated scarring from previous heart attacks. Two areas of erythema and wall softening were noted on the interventricular septum and left ventricle. Microscopic evaluation showed fibrosis, collagen deposition, hemorrhage into myocardium, wavy myocytes, edema, and inflammatory infiltrates, indicating previous scarring and recent heart attack damage.
Toxicological testing by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide, alcohol, and drugs.