What happened
On July 21, 2025, at approximately 16:27 EDT, a Van's Aircraft RV-14A, registration N21KL, crashed near Lowell, Michigan. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal purposes. The pilot and a passenger were traveling to Lowell City Airport (24C) to inspect another aircraft, a Van's Aircraft RV-6, which was listed for sale.
According to ADS-B data, the flight began at Alpena County Regional Airport (APN) at 14:33. After a stop at Oscoda/Wurtsmith Airport (OSC) to pick up the passenger, the aircraft departed OSC at 15:32, heading southwest toward the non-towered airport 24C.
As the aircraft approached the airport, it flew west of the Flat River. While passing over Lincoln Lake Road, the aircraft turned south and entered a descending turn toward the east. The airplane struck a storage unit building located approximately 0.43 miles from the approach end of runway 12. The impact caused an explosion and a post-impact fire that destroyed both the wreckage and the building. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries.
Witnesses observing the aircraft in flight prior to the crash reported no visible smoke, flames, or abnormal engine noises such as sputtering or backfiring.