Accident Overview
On May 29, 2019, at approximately 1045 eastern daylight time, two experimental amateur-built Vans RV-4 aircraft collided near Green Cove Springs, Florida. The red aircraft, registration N319RL, was destroyed. The yellow aircraft, registration N203DD, sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the yellow airplane was seriously injured; the pilot of the red airplane was fatally injured. Both flights were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights.
Flight Details
Both flights originated from Haller Airpark (7FL4) in Green Cove Springs, Florida, at about 1030 in day visual meteorological conditions. Neither flight operated on a flight plan. According to the pilot of the yellow airplane, the purpose was to check the accuracy of his airspeed indicator; he had asked the pilot of the red airplane to fly alongside. After departure, they checked the airspeed indicator and everything appeared normal. They then decided to perform a maneuver they often conducted called a "tail chase," which involved taking turns flying in trail through various turns, dives, and climbs.
Collision Sequence
After a few minutes of maneuvering and one visual lead change to the red airplane, both airplanes were on a southerly heading. The pilot of the yellow airplane called off the tail chase and made a gradual left turn. He made several banked heading changes to the northeast before settling on an easterly heading in a gradual descent. During the descent, he suddenly saw the red airplane at his "twelve o-clock" position at a distance of about 50 feet, coming directly at him. He could see the other pilot in the cockpit. Before either pilot could react, the airplanes collided, with the red airplane slightly lower than his airplane. After the collision, the pilot of the yellow airplane looked back and saw the red airplane falling in two pieces. His airplane began to vibrate violently due to a propeller imbalance, and he performed a forced landing in a pasture.
Wreckage Examination
The red airplane came to rest 4 miles northwest of Haller Airpark. The yellow airplane came to rest 2 miles east-northeast of the red airplane and about 5 miles north of the airpark.
Yellow Airplane (N203DD)
Red paint transfer marks were found on a 6-inch-deep, 17-inch-wide semicircle on the leading edge of the left wing. Red paint was also present on the lower outboard section of the right wing leading edge. The left main landing gear strut was broken but remained attached to the fuselage; the left main wheel hub was broken and the wheel remained attached to the axle. A skid mark was observed on the tire, and the strut fairing and wheel pant were missing. Both propeller blades were bent; one blade exhibited a 2-inch semicircular gouge on the leading edge. Flight control continuity was established from all controls to their respective surfaces. Engine examination revealed valvetrain continuity, compression, and spark on all ignition leads. Trace amounts of fuel were present in the fuel system, which was breached.
Red Airplane (N319RL)
Yellow paint transfers were found on the lower part of the rudder. A 3-foot tire skid mark was observed on top of the empennage, ending at the vertical stabilizer. The vertical stabilizer was fragmented and broken away from the fuselage. The rudder was fragmented, with only the lower part remaining attached at the attachment fitting and control cables. The horizontal stabilizers and elevators were broken and fragmented, partially attached by fuselage skin. The airplane impacted the ground nose-first and was accordion-crushed aft. All control surfaces were accounted for. Flight control continuity was established to push-pull tubes, which exhibited overstress breaks. The engine crankshaft was impact damaged and bent; the propeller remained attached and showed rotational scoring. Valvetrain continuity was observed, but compression could not be obtained due to the bent crankshaft. Engine accessories (magneto, vacuum pump, fuel pump) were crushed aft, and ignition wiring was destroyed. No fuel was noted due to impact damage. The instrument panel was destroyed.
Postaccident Toxicology
An autopsy on the pilot of the red airplane, performed by the Office of the Medical Examiner in Jacksonville, Florida, listed the cause of death as blunt impact injuries. Toxicology testing by the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory found 21 mg/dL ethanol in muscle (none in liver), dextrorphan in liver and muscle, dextromethorphan in liver and muscle, and chlorpheniramine in liver and muscle. Dextromethorphan is a nonsedating cough suppressant (metabolized to dextrorphan), and chlorpheniramine is a sedating antihistamine. Product packaging for chlorpheniramine includes a warning about drowsiness and caution when operating machinery. Dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine are often combined in over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. The ethanol was likely from postmortem microbial activity rather than ingestion. No postaccident toxicology was obtained from the pilot of the yellow airplane, who survived.