What happened
A formation of three aircraft departed Lindsay, Ontario, for a flight to Smith Falls, Ontario, under visual flight rules. The formation included an RV-9A and two Vans RV-7A aircraft, specifically C-GNDY. During the flight, the RV-9A departed the formation, leaving C-GNDY to follow a lead aircraft in a right echelon position to film a series of aerobatic maneuvers.
As the lead aircraft performed maneuvers including steep banks and climbs, the pilot of C-GNDY attempted to maintain the lead aircraft within the field of view of a cockpit-mounted camera. During a pull-out from a rapid descent, the aircraft experienced sudden vibrations, followed by a yawing motion and a roll that led to a ground impact. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was fatally injured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the aircraft and the flight conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that the aircraft had been repainted with an elaborate scheme, which likely increased its weight and shifted the center of gravity. There was no record of the aircraft being reweighed or the flight controls being rebalanced following the painting process.
Video footage from the cockpit confirmed the aircraft was chasing the lead plane through maneuvers. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's speed, finding that at the time of the structural failure, the airspeed was approximately 234 knots. This exceeded both the maximum maneuvering speed (Va) of 124 knots and the never-exceed speed (Vne) of 200 knots.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating above its maximum allowable aerobatic weight due to the unrecorded weight of the new paint scheme.
- The rudder was likely not rebalanced after the painting process, making it susceptible to flutter at lower speeds.
- The aircraft reached an airspeed of 234 knots, significantly exceeding the structural speed limits.
- The vertical stabilizer and rudder separated from the empennage due to either aerodynamic flutter or structural overstress.
- The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers below the minimum altitude required by regulations.