History of Flight
On July 21, 2016, at about 1840 central daylight time, a Harris-Runyan Skybolt 300 experimental amateur-built airplane, registration N511GS, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain northeast of Fairmont, Oklahoma. The commercial-rated pilot and pilot-rated passenger were 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 the flight operated without a flight plan. It departed from Enid Woodring Regional Airport (WDG), Enid, Oklahoma, at 1834.
The pilot-rated passenger was a 1st Lieutenant T-38 instructor pilot in the US Air Force stationed at Vance Air Force Base. According to his wife, the flight was arranged the day prior when a spot became available. The passenger expected the flight to depart between 1800 and 1815 and last no more than 15 minutes, describing it as a "quick loop." The pilot was a demonstration pilot for Bearfeat Aerobatics, scheduled to perform at the 2016 Vance AFB Open House. He had given aerobatic rides to several other airmen earlier that day.
At 1832, the pilot contacted WDG local control, requested taxi to runway 17, and stated he would go east for air work for 10 to 15 minutes. He received takeoff clearance at 1834 and acknowledged a frequency change at 1835. No further communications were recorded. At 1837, Vance AFB Approach provided flight following, but no radar information was available, and the exact route could not be established.
A witness located half a mile north of the accident site saw the airplane flying earlier and observed it for 20 to 30 seconds prior to the accident. The airplane flew over his house at high altitude, performed a barrel roll, then pitched up to climb straight up. The nose came down through the horizon, and the airplane began tumbling. About one-third through the tumble, it rolled onto its back and entered an inverted flat spin. The witness saw it go behind trees and heard the engine running until impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 55, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings, and a repairman-experimental aircraft builder certificate. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate, issued September 21, 2015, required corrective lenses. He reported 3,591 total flight hours, with 39 in the previous 6 months. He held a Statement of Acrobatic Competency (SAC) card for the Skybolt S/D, issued September 26, 2015, valid until December 31, 2016, with limitations for solo and formation aerobatics and unrestricted altitude.
The pilot-rated passenger was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Air Force, a T-38 instructor pilot at Vance AFB, with at least 460 hours. He held a civilian student pilot certificate.
Aircraft Information
The 1993 experimental amateur-built biplane, a Harris-Runyan Skybolt 300 (serial number HR30091001), was manufactured by the pilot/owner. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D engine rated at 300 horsepower at 2,700 rpm, equipped with a two-blade Hartzell propeller. The airplane maintained an annual condition inspection; the last was completed by the pilot on April 3, 2016, at 2,183.2 hours airframe total time. The airplane had flown 23.7 hours since, for a total of 2,206.9 hours.
Meteorological Information
The nearest official weather station was WDG, 14 nautical miles west. At 1850, the METAR reported wind from 170° at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 8,000 ft, temperature 38°C, dew point 18°C, altimeter 29.98 inHg. Density altitude was calculated at 4,217 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in a dormant wheat field at 1,140 ft msl. The main wreckage came to rest inverted, oriented on a heading of 295°, including both wings, empennage, fuselage, engine, and propeller assembly. The upper right wing was crushed and partially separated; the right aileron strut was bent. Left wings were crushed, twisted, and broken, with left aileron strut bent. The fuselage was crushed, fuel tank compromised, cockpit instruments damaged. The rudder and vertical stabilizer were crushed, elevator control tubing continuous, rudder cables continuous. Engine and propeller remained attached; propeller blade A was bent 90° and embedded in the ground, blade B showed no visible damage. Engine examination found no anomalies consistent with preimpact failure or malfunction.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the pilot determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological tests by CAMI were negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. Azacyclonol and fexofenadine were detected in urine but not in cavity blood. Fexofenadine (Allegra) is a nonsedating antihistamine; the pilot reported using Allegra D and Flonase on his medical application.