What happened
On December 4, 2024, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-8A, registration N627TT, was involved in a fatal accident near Fort Blackmore, Virginia. The flight was being operated as a Part 91 business flight.
Prior to departure from Virginia Highlands Airport (VGI), the pilot received 16.8 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. An airport operations manager observed the aircraft depart runway 24, noting that the airplane performed a sharp left bank and a low pass at approximately 50 feet before executing a vertical climb.
ADS-B track data indicates the aircraft departed VGI at 1426. After flying southwest for approximately 20 miles, the aircraft began a series of turns and altitude changes. The final recorded altitude was 2,150 feet MSL at 1447.
The accident occurred at a private airstrip. Witness video captured the aircraft flying low over the turf runway and entering a gradual climb. During this maneuver, the airplane rolled to the right into an inverted attitude, after which the nose pitched toward the ground, resulting in impact. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
The wreckage of the aircraft came to rest upright on the turf runway. The debris field was confined to an 80-foot radius and included all structural components. A 10-foot ground scar and a small crater were located near the main wreckage; the propeller was found separated from the engine within this crater.
Impact damage to the aircraft included:
- The cockpit instrument panel was displaced forward and down.
- The fuselage was buckled and compressed.
- The empennage was buckled and twisted to the right, with broken elevator torque tubes.
- Both wings sustained leading-edge damage, with the right wing displaced aft and the left wing displaced forward.
- The engine mount was broken and bent, displacing the engine downward.
- The propeller displayed chordwise scoring, torsional bending, and leading-edge polishing.
Examination of the engine showed that the crankshaft could be rotated and valve action was observed on all cylinders. The top spark plugs showed normal wear consistent with regular operation.