What happened
On March 1, 2025, at approximately 12:15 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7 experimental airplane, N902T, was destroyed in an accident near Matheson, Colorado. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
According to preliminary ADS-B data, the aircraft departed Colorado Air and Spaceport (CFO) at approximately 09:46. After climbing to 7,500 feet MSL, the aircraft flew to Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (LAA), arriving at approximately 10:30. Following refueling, the aircraft departed LAA at approximately 11:36, flying directly toward CFO at a ground speed of approximately 160 knots. During the flight, the aircraft maintained an altitude between 1,000 and 1,500 feet AGL.
At approximately 12:04, the aircraft began a slow climb to 7,000 feet MSL to clear rising terrain. At 12:06, the aircraft began a steady descent to 6,700 feet MSL and initiated a constant right turn of approximately 2.7 degrees per second. After completing a 54-degree turn, the aircraft had descended to approximately 800 feet AGL before ADS-B data transmission ended. No radio or distress calls were received from the pilot.
An individual working near the accident site reported hearing the aircraft followed by a thud-type sound, though the aircraft was not seen.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site indicated the impact was consistent with a shallow, high-speed, wings-level impact. Initial impact points consisted of ground scars consistent with the landing gear. The debris field extended approximately 560 feet from the initial ground scars to the main wreckage.
The propeller assembly was located between the initial ground scars and the main wreckage, having separated at the crankshaft. The separated crankshaft and the engine side of the fractured crankshaft both exhibited torsional twisting consistent with rotation at impact. The propeller blades were found bent and twisted, also consistent with rotation at impact. The engine was located approximately 415 feet from the main wreckage. Initial examination of the engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies.
The total debris field, spanning from the initial ground scars to the engine, measured approximately 975 feet on a bearing of 010 degrees magnetic, which aligned with the final ADS-B data points. Examination of the main wreckage showed that the primary flight cables and surface controls were connected and showed no pre-impact anomalies.