Wallkill, NY, USA
N14VS
Syracuse Vans RV-4
The amateur-built experimental airplane was observed performing aerobatics about 250 feet above ground level. The airplane performed a barrel roll, then completed about half of a loop when it stalled at the top and descended straight into the ground. The engine ran continuously throughout the accident sequence, with no changes in power noted. The pilot had accumulated approximately 1,000 hours of total flight experience; however, no record of his aerobatic experience was recovered. The reported weather near the accident site, about the time of the accident, included clear skies, wind at 6 knots, and visibility 10 miles.
On June 24, 2007, about 1837 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Vans RV-4, N14VS, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Wallkill, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Orange County Airport (MGJ), Montgomery, New York, about 1700. No flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A witness was standing outside of his residence, and observed the accident airplane. The witness stated that the airplane was flying north, approximately 250 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane performed a barrel roll, and then entered a loop. The airplane had completed about half of the loop, when it "wobbled," dropped from the top of the loop, and dove straight into the ground. The witness added that the engine noise was continuous, with no changes noted. According to the airplane's logbook, it was manufactured from 1981 to 1983. The airplane's most recent annual condition inspection was completed on November 25, 2006. At that time, the airplane and the engine had accumulated 428.4 total hours of operation. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 70, held a commercial pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single engine land and airplane multiengine land. The pilot's logbook was not recovered, and his aerobatic experience was unknown. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued on November 22, 2005. At that time, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 1,000 hours. An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Orange County Regional Medical Center, Middletown, New York. Toxicological testing was subsequently performed by the FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. No preimpact medical anomalies were noted. The reported weather at MGJ, about 4 miles east of the accident site, at 1854, was: wind from 240 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 27 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 12 degrees C; altimeter setting 30.05 inches of mercury.
The pilot's improper decision to attempt low altitude aerobatics, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the aerobatics, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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