What happened
On August 12, 2023, at approximately 08:38 CDT, a Vans RV-14A, registration N6161, departed from Litchfield Municipal Airport (3LF) in Litchfield, Illinois. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to ADS-B data, the aircraft flew north toward Virden. At 08:47, the aircraft performed a sharp left turn, changing its heading by approximately 125 degrees toward the southwest. Witnesses in Virden observed the aircraft flying in an inverted position, with some noting unusual engine noises. One witness reported seeing the airplane bank left and roll upright before it descended into the ground.
The aircraft struck trees and terrain approximately 0.8 miles southwest of the center of Virden. The initial impact involved broken tree limbs roughly 20 feet above the ground, with the primary impact occurring just beneath the tree canopy. The aircraft struck the ground at a nose-low angle of approximately 45 degrees. The accident resulted in 1 fatality.
The investigation
The aircraft remained relatively intact following the impact, with the engine, fuselage, wings, and empennage all accounted for at the site. The airplane was retained for further examination.