Accident Details
On June 11, 2023, at 1506 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Harmon Rocket, registration N85TP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Porter, New York. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The pilot arrived at Windsor Airport (63NY) in Youngstown, New York, around 1045 and spent the day observing skydiving activities. Surveillance video at 1445 showed him conducting a preflight inspection and starting the engine before taxiing out of view. He took off from runway 18. Witnesses reported that the pilot's typical routine included a takeoff to the south, a climbing 180° turn north, a high-speed low pass along the runway at 10-15 ft above ground, then a climb and barrel roll before heading south. On the accident flight, after takeoff and the 180° turn, he performed the low pass, then initiated a climb. The airplane banked and contacted trees. A witness stated the airplane reached about 10-15 ft above the tree line before dipping into the trees, appearing to go inverted as if rolling partially. Another witness heard the engine "screaming" during a northward pass. A third witness, who knew the pilot, characterized him as reckless and noted that low-altitude flybys and rolls were routine.
Wreckage and Examination
The wreckage path, including flight controls and fragmented pieces, fanned out in multiple directions along a 355° magnetic heading at 300 ft elevation. Trees showed angular propeller cuts, and a brief postimpact fire occurred at a second tree line. Fuel blight was found on 50 rows of corn. A 5-inch propeller tip section was discovered near the runway, about 450 ft south of initial impact, with impact marks. The main debris spread over a two-lane road and farmland, totaling 410 ft. The nose was oriented at 190°, and the separated engine, severely impact-damaged, was found 185 ft north of the main wreckage with multiple ground impact craters. Postaccident examination revealed both wings bent aft, the tail twisted 180° left and inverted, and severed ailerons. Elevator and rudder remained attached but damaged. Control continuity was confirmed with breaks consistent with impact damage. The 2-blade constant-speed propeller had a missing 4-inch blade section; the remaining blades showed chordwise scraping, wave bending, and leading-edge gouges. The separated tip exhibited overload fractures and contact damage consistent with impact. Engine mounts failed from overload; the engine sustained impact damage with no preexisting anomalies. Spark plugs showed minimal wear, and magnetos were damaged. The electronic engine monitor (AFS AF-4500) recorded only engine start and takeoff data, showing no anomalies; the Dynon EFIS had no data.
Postaccident Testing
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Medical Examiner, County of Erie, Pennsylvania, attributed the cause of death to multiple blunt force injuries, with the manner classified as an accident. Toxicological testing performed by the Medical Examiner and the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute found no presence of controlled drugs or chemicals and no positive findings of toxicological significance.