History of Flight
On October 31, 2021, at approximately 1320 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-4, registration N479JJ, was destroyed in an accident near Chattahoochee, Florida. The pilot, who was fatally injured, operated the aircraft as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot departed Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) around 1303, destined for Monroe County Aeroplex Airport (MVC) in Monroeville, Alabama. After departure, an air traffic controller terminated radar services and allowed the pilot to change frequencies. Radar contact was lost about 17 minutes later.
According to ADS-B data from the FAA, the airplane climbed northbound to about 3,000 ft msl, then turned right about 90° east, then back north. It descended to about 2,500 ft, overflew Lake Jackson, then headed west before turning northwest. Altitude varied between about 2,000 and 2,500 ft. While southwest of Mount Pleasant, groundspeed decreased, and the airplane began turning left and descending, then gained groundspeed while continuing to descend. The last data track showed the airplane at 650 ft and groundspeed of 172 knots.
An off-duty law enforcement officer at his house observed the airplane's bubble-style canopy (hinged on the side) fall in his yard, about 1.5 miles from the main wreckage.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in a wooded area with a wreckage path about 550 ft long. The airplane was heavily fragmented and scattered along a debris path on a heading of about 220° magnetic. The outboard portion of the right wing, including the aileron, was separated and found near an initial tree strike. Small pieces of sheet metal, wheel pants, carburetor parts, fuel tank wing sections, and stringers were located along the wreckage path for about 400 ft. The empennage was leaning against a tree with impression marks about 15 ft up. The inboard section of the left wing was found about 500 ft along the path. The fuel tank was breached, and the left wing was fire damaged. The engine, propeller, landing gear pieces, and parts of the instrument panel were at the end of the wreckage path. Both propeller blades were impact separated. The canopy was impact damaged, frame bent in several areas. The canopy handle was found in the open position with the locking pin damaged and bent at its tip. The locking mechanism could not be tested.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicology testing by the FAA’s Forensic Services Laboratory revealed no evidence of alcohol or other impairing drugs. An autopsy by the Office of the Medical Examiner, District Two, Tallahassee, Florida, listed the cause of death as blunt traumatic injuries.