Accident Overview
On March 1, 2025, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7 experimental airplane, registration N902T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was being conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
According to preliminary Automated Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed from Colorado Air and Spaceport (CFO) about 0946. It climbed to about 7,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and flew to Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (LAA), arriving about 1030 for refueling. The airplane departed LAA about 1136. The flight track showed a direct path toward CFO with no major turns or maneuvers. Altitude ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 feet above ground level (agl), and ground speed was generally about 160 knots. About 1204, the airplane began a slow climb to about 7,000 feet msl to navigate rising terrain. About 1206, it began a descent to about 6,700 feet msl, initiated a right turn, and continued a steady descent. The right turn rate was about 2.7 degrees per second and remained constant. After approximately 54 degrees of turn, the airplane had descended to about 800 feet agl before the ADS-B data ended. No radio or distress calls from the pilot were heard during the entire flight.
Witness and Impact
A person working outside her home near the accident site heard the airplane flying and subsequently heard a thud-like sound. She did not see the airplane and contacted emergency responders.
Examination of the accident site indicated the impact was consistent with a shallow, high-speed impact at about wings level. The initial impact points were ground scars consistent with the landing gear. The debris field extended about 560 feet from the initial ground scars to the main wreckage. The propeller assembly was found between the initial ground scars and the main wreckage, separated at the crankshaft. The separated crankshaft exhibited torsional twisting consistent with rotation at impact. The propeller blades were bent and twisted, also consistent with rotation at impact. The engine was discovered about 415 feet from the main wreckage, with the engine-side of the fractured crankshaft showing torsional twisting consistent with rotation. Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.
Wreckage Examination
The entire debris field, from the initial impact ground scars to the engine, spanned about 975 feet on an approximate bearing of 010 degrees magnetic, which aligned with the last in-flight ADS-B data points. Examination of the main wreckage showed that the primary flight cables and surface controls were connected and exhibited no pre-impact anomalies. The wreckage was subsequently transported to a secure facility for further examination.