Accident Overview
On July 21, 2025, at approximately 1627 eastern daylight time, a Van's Aircraft RV-14A experimental airplane, registration N21KL, was destroyed when it struck a storage unit building near Lowell, Michigan. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Purpose
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot and passenger to view a Van's Aircraft RV-6 (N471NP) that was offered for sale at Lowell City Airport (24C), Lowell, Michigan. The passenger was interested in potentially purchasing that airplane.
Flight History
A preliminary review of ADS-B data showed that the pilot departed in N21KL from his home base at Alpena County Regional Airport (APN), Alpena, Michigan, at 1433. The airplane landed at Oscoda/Wurtsmith Airport (OSC), Oscoda, Michigan, at 1456, where the passenger boarded. The airplane departed OSC at 1532 and flew southwest to 24C, a non-towered airport.
Accident Sequence
While approaching 24C, the airplane flew west of the Flat River. ADS-B data indicated that as the airplane flew over Lincoln Lake Road, it turned south. Shortly after turning south, the airplane continued in a descending turn toward the east. The airplane impacted a storage unit building approximately 0.43 miles from the approach end of runway 12 at 24C. Upon impact, an explosion occurred, and a postimpact fire consumed the wreckage and the storage unit building. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure location.
Witness Statement
According to a witness, he and his son observed the airplane inflight while driving near 24C on Vergennes Street. During the descending turn and prior to impact, they did not observe any smoke or flames emitting from the airplane, nor did they hear any abnormal engine noises such as sputtering or backfiring.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The two-seat experimental airplane was built from a kit in 2024 by the pilot, who held a private pilot certificate (airplane single engine land) and also held a repairman certificate (experimental aircraft builder) for the accident airplane. The passenger held a private pilot certificate (airplane single engine land) and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming Engines YIO-390-EXP248 reciprocating engine, part of the Thunderbolt experimental engine series, and a Whirlwind Propellers 300-3B/A-72 three-blade controllable pitch composite propeller.
Meteorological Conditions
A preliminary review of meteorological data for the accident location and time did not reveal any meteorological areas of concern. The calculated density altitude for the closest meteorological reporting station was 2,266 feet.