History of Flight
On May 28, 2021, at about 1048 eastern daylight time, a Lancair Evolution airplane, registration N515DL, was destroyed in an accident near McDermott, Ohio. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight, operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, had departed Bellefontaine Regional Airport (EDJ) at about 1014 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) plan to Charleston International Airport (CHS).
After departure, the airplane climbed to 25,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and accelerated to 215 knots groundspeed. Over the next 1 minute and 43 seconds, while in level flight on a southeast heading, it gradually decelerated to 146 knots groundspeed. With winds aloft from 265° at 47 knots, the calibrated airspeed fell to about 76 knots, which is the flight manual stall speed at maximum gross weight with flaps retracted.
The airplane then entered a left turn and descended rapidly. A distressed conversation between the pilot and passenger was transmitted, during which the pilot stated, “I don’t know what happened….it won’t perform.” The controller tried unsuccessfully to contact the pilot, and radar contact was lost. A ground witness saw the airplane in a spiral descent. The airplane impacted wooded terrain, and a postimpact fire ensued.
Pilot Information
According to a Lancair Owner and Builders Organization (LOBO) representative, the pilot received Lancair Evolution transition training in 2015 and recurrent training from 2017 to 2019. The pilot did not complete recurrent training in 2020 or 2021. The pilot attended five LOBO events from 2016 to 2021, which included weather flying and aeronautical decision-making topics; a 2019 event included a seminar on icing considerations.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was not equipped for flight in icing conditions. Its Garmin 900X system did not provide a stall warning, and it lacked an angle of attack system. The flight manual stall speed at maximum gross weight with flaps retracted was 76 knots.
Meteorological Information
An AIRMET for moderate icing was valid between the freezing level and 22,000 ft msl. An AIRMET for moderate turbulence was valid from 25,000 to 42,000 ft msl. Both AIRMETs covered the departure and accident locations. Supplemental forecasts indicated a 10% to 60% probability of icing at 20,000 to 25,000 ft near the accident site, with light to heavy intensity. Current Icing Potential products showed a 10% to 40% probability of supercooled large droplets between 20,000 and 22,000 ft, with unknown probability above. Weather radar and upper air data indicated the airplane passed through precipitation and icing, and supercooled large droplets likely existed at its altitude near the accident location.
The pilot did not request or receive weather information from Leidos Flight Service or ForeFlight before the flight. The air traffic controller did not read the AIRMET to the pilot or solicit pilot reports.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane descended at a nearly vertical angle into wooded terrain. The wreckage was significantly fire damaged. A ballistic recovery system was installed, but its charge expended in the fire. The right wing outboard section separated in flight and was found about ½ mile northeast of the main wreckage. Most of the horizontal stabilizer and a 3-ft section of the left elevator were recovered about ¾ mile northeast. Fracture surfaces were consistent with overstress. Engine and propeller rotational signatures indicated the propeller was not feathered and the engine was producing power at impact. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions were observed that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicology testing detected ethanol in the pilot’s liver at 0.047 gm/hg and muscle tissue at 0.023 gm/hg. No ethanol was found in the pilot’s urine.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular AC91-74B discusses flight in icing conditions and notes that pilots of aircraft not certified for icing occasionally encounter such conditions, often with fatal results. The circular advises careful flight planning, monitoring weather, and exiting icing conditions immediately if encountered inadvertently.
Note: Probable cause was not stated in the source.