History of Flight
On June 4, 2019, at approximately 1943 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Titan II airplane, registration N4362V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Summerville, Oregon. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to family members, the pilot had recently purchased the airplane and completed its assembly three days before the accident. The accident flight was the pilot’s third flight since assembly.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying at treetop or power line level. One witness stated that the airplane climbed “straight up” about 300 ft, then dove toward the ground and leveled off about 50 ft above ground level. This maneuver was repeated three times before the accident. Another witness described similar maneuvers, noting that the pilot was “gunning the engine hard, then backing off.” During the final climb to about 300 ft, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, spun to the left, and impacted the ground.
Personnel Information
The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration pilot or medical certificate. Family members reported that the pilot did not keep a record of flight hours.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest in a flat, open field. All major structural components were located within the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was confirmed for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder.
Examination of the engine revealed that all four spark plugs showed signatures consistent with normal wear. The crankshaft was manually rotated, and rotational continuity was established throughout the engine valve train. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. No anomalies were found in the engine-driven fuel pump or the carburetors. The fuel filter appeared free of debris.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory conducted toxicological testing on the pilot’s tissue. Results were negative for all tested substances.