Accident Narrative
On August 20, 2022, about 1331 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Smyth Sidewinder TD, registration N60JV, was substantially damaged when it struck terrain near Wichita Falls, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was being conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane had been sold to the pilot earlier that morning by its previous owner. After reviewing maintenance logs, aircraft characteristics, and operational features, the pilot completed a run-up and declined an offer from the previous owner to accompany him for practice takeoffs and landings. The previous owner and several witnesses observed the departure from runway 13. The airplane aligned with the runway centerline and began accelerating in a three-point takeoff attitude. Shortly after becoming airborne at a slow speed, the airplane initiated a left turn while climbing to about 50–75 ft above ground level. It then assumed a nose-high attitude, the left turn tightened, and the airplane impacted terrain adjacent to the runway, erupting into flames.
Aircraft Examination
The accident site was in a fallow cotton field adjacent to the runway. The debris field extended about 200 ft on a magnetic bearing of 95°. The main wreckage, consisting of the engine and fuselage, came to rest inverted. Most of the airframe was consumed by fire, except the empennage and outboard right wing. The first identified point of contact was a ground scar consistent with the left wing dragging along terrain. The engine remained attached but displaced leftward; visual and disassembly examination revealed no evidence of preimpact catastrophic mechanical malfunction. Control continuity could not be confirmed due to thermal damage, but no preimpact mechanical failure precluding normal operation was found.
A witness pilot who had flown the accident airplane described a prominent left-wing drop during maneuvers and suggested that wing rigging or construction gave a higher angle of incidence in the right wing, with right aileron input amplifying the left-wing drop. He noted the airplane lacked any stall warning. The airplane’s stall speed was reported to be about 60 kts.
Medical Information
An autopsy performed by the Office of the Medical Examiner in Dallas County, Texas, determined the cause of death to be blunt force and thermal injuries.