History of Flight
On August 4, 2021, at approximately 1520 central daylight time, a North American T6G airplane, registration N7197C, was destroyed in an accident near Starkville, Mississippi. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Air traffic control radar track data showed that the airplane departed runway 36 at McCharen Field Airport (M83) in West Point, Mississippi, and proceeded south-southwest while performing a series of maneuvers near the accident site. The final radar return was recorded at about 1518, with the airplane located about 0.15 miles west of the accident site. The pilot was not in communication with any air traffic control facility during the flight.
A witness observed the airplane flying overhead at low altitude. The witness reported that the airplane made three passes and was “low” over the trees. Another individual at the same location recorded two video clips of the airplane, which briefly showed it passing just above the trees. The videos also indicated that the airplane was trailing smoke from an installed smoke system.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Damage to the airplane was consistent with a steep angle impact into trees before striking the terrain. The main wreckage was located near the initial impact point, on a heading of approximately 105°. The wreckage was confined to a small area around the impact point.
Due to impact damage, the on-site examination was limited. The engine had separated from the airframe and, along with the propeller, was partially buried in dirt. Both wings exhibited accordion crushing along their spans. Cable continuity was confirmed from the empennage to the cockpit, but control tubes beneath the front and rear cockpit areas were heavily damaged.
Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the pilot's cause of death was blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing by the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected ethanol at 0.046 g/dL in cavity blood but not in vitreous specimens. The presence of ethanol could result from either consumption or postmortem microbial production.