Fatal In-Flight Fire and Crash of an Experimental Vans RV-6A in Buckingham, Pennsylvania (N74MS)

Accident Overview and Flight History On June 15, 2021, at approximately 1031 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6A airplane, registration N74MS, was substantially damaged in an accident in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot departed Doylestown Airport (DYL) in Pennsylvania at 0817, arriving at Sky Manor Airport (N40) in Pittstown, New Jersey, at 0827. After a 30-minute stop, the pilot departed N40 for South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY) in Mount Holly, New Jersey, arriving at 0913. One hour later, the pilot departed VAY to return to DYL. At 1020, the pilot declared an emergency over the common traffic advisory frequency for DYL, stating he was making a straight-in landing to runway 5. At 1021, the pilot reported an in-flight fire and that the aircraft was inbound to DYL. No further intelligible transmissions were made.