20130728018019A

On July 28, 2013, at approximately 1220 p.m. local time (1720 UTC), the airman was involved in an aircraft accident while en-route from larned, Kansas, to atlantic, Iowa; this aircraft was operating in accordance with the provisions of visual flight rules (VFR) with a final destination of oshkosh, Wisconsin. A VFR flight plan was not filed; the airman was not instrument rated or proficient for flight into weather less than visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The aircraft involved in this accident is an experimental/amateur-built vans RV-8. Weather reports and forecasts in the vicinity of this aircraft accident were reporting that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed. The automated surface observation system (ASOS) at the russell municipal airport (krsl), russell, Kansas, reported approximately twenty (20) minutes prior to the accident, overcast ceilings at 400 feet above ground level (AGL), ground visibility of seven (7) statute miles, a temperature/dewpoint of 16 and 15 degrees centigrade respectively. The national weather service (NWS) radar, at the time of the accident displayed rain showers throughout the entire area. Additionally, an eyewitness located in close proximity to the accident site confirmed the presence of a low cloud layer and poor visibility. Prior to the accident the airman was in direct radio communication with another aircraft en-route to the same destination; this aircraft was reported to be approximately 1 mile ahead of the airman?s aircraft at an altitude of 7,500. The accident site revealed that the aircraft impacted the ground at an approximate 60-80 degrees nose down pitch attitude and slight left bank; initial impact scarring indicates the aircraft was in a northerly direction. Additionally, the aircraft?s fuselage, including the aircraft?s main spar and empennage were located approximately 15 feet north of the initial impact point. The initial impact and bulk of the wreckage would have fit in a 25? Diameter. Numerous smaller pieces were found on the road and in the ditch to the east of the impact site and to the north in a pasture, which extended approximately 50 yards out. All three landing gear were accounted for; the left main and nose gear were separated from the aircraft structure while the right main gear remained attached to the right wing spar. The aircraft?s vertical and horizontal stabilizers were identified however flight control continuity could not be verified due to impact damage. Upon impact the aircraft engine?s propeller was sheared off the propeller hub with only an 18 inch section of one of the propeller blades identifiable; this composite blade section was frayed indicative of high power impact. A perimeter evaluation of the accident site did not reveal that the aircraft struck power lines or other obstacles within the area. Additionally, the aircraft wreckage did not display signatures of a pre or post-impact fire. Furthermore, the investigation did not reveal any aircraft anomaly; the airman did not transmit a distress call prior to impact. The airman, the sole occupant on-board the aircraft sustained fatal injuries.