History of Flight
On October 21, 2022, about 1430 central daylight time, a Vans RV-12 airplane, registration N86GV, was substantially damaged during an accident near Chandler, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
Before the accident flight, ADS-B data showed the airplane flying from the Round Rock, Texas area to Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR) in Tyler, Texas. At TYR, the pilot added 3.9 gallons of fuel, bringing the tanks to full. The accident flight departed runway 22 at TYR about 1423, destination unknown. ADS-B data indicated a climb to about 5,500 ft msl, followed by a descending right turn with increasing speed. The airplane impacted shallow water on a bank of Lake Palestine.
Personnel Information
According to FAA records, the pilot’s last medical certificate was issued on August 12, 1999, and expired in 2001. Under 14 CFR 61.23, the pilot was operating the light sport airplane using his driver’s license. A complete logbook was not recovered. In 2018, the pilot reported 1,717 total hours to his insurance carrier; in 1999, he reported 800 hours on his last medical application.
Aircraft Information
FAA records show the pilot purchased the airplane in August 2021.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Impact signatures were consistent with a near-vertical descent. The engine separated from the airframe during recovery. The airframe exhibited symmetrical accordion crushing on both wings. The engine compartment was crushed rearward; buckling and crushing were noted on the empennage. All primary flight controls were accounted for. The left aileron was partially torn near the outboard hinge; the right aileron remained attached. The rudder was attached; the stabilator was crushed and deformed. Flight control continuity could not be established due to impact damage. Engine examination revealed no preimpact anomalies. The gearbox showed a gear contacting the crankcase, causing metal smearing.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy ruled the cause of death as extensive blunt force trauma, manner accident. Toxicology testing by the FAA identified ethanol at 0.054 g/dL in one blood specimen and 0.022 g/dL in another; ethanol also in kidney and muscle. Hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, citalopram, n-desmethylcitalopram, zolpidem, gabapentin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, glipizide, atorvastatin, valsartan, carvedilol, clopidogrel, tamsulosin, and sildenafil were detected. Samples were marked putrefied. Several medications would have required a Special Issuance or were unacceptable for pilots; their side effects posed a hazard to flight safety and may have contributed to the accident.
Additional Information
Several people interacted with the pilot before departure; none reported unusual behavior.