20180820011899A

On August 20, 2018 at 06:30 local while flying in the pattern at the deer valley airport (dvt), aircraft N787WM, crashed one quarter mile from the runway at the intersection of deer valley road and 7th street in Phoenix Arizona. The pilot in command (PIC), theodore rich, certificate number 3778291 initially survived the crash but was later was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The passenger, also a certificated pilot, elaine carpenter, certificate number 4047866, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The aircraft, an amateur built (james e. Causey) Acroduster II, was purchased by ground loop aviation LLC on August 18, two days prior to the accident. Prior to the accident the pilot had performed four touch and go landings successfully and was circling in the pattern to attempt a fifth landing. A video recording device was found intact mounted to the left upper wing of the aircraft, which recorded the entire day?s flight, including the accident. On the fifth attempt the video shows the aircraft slowing just prior to entering the final turn to base at runway 25L. While turning the nose of the aircraft pulled up and appeared to stall. The pilot was not able to recover from the stall and the aircraft impacted in the street intersection. The aircraft was at a steep nose down attitude when it struck three vehicles stopped at a red light at the intersection. Two of the vehicles sustained minor damage and the third sustained substantial damaged. None of the drivers of the vehicles involved were injured although one was transported for precautionary reasons.

Post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no mechanical deficiencies that could have contributed to the accident. Review of the aircraft maintenance logs indicates the aircraft had been properly maintained by the previous owner. We conclude that there does not appear to have been any of the nine FAA responsibilities violated or involved with this accident.