# Accident 20230812014399A: Vans Aircraft RV-14A, Virden, IL, August 12, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 12, 2023, 08:48 local time
- Place: Virden, IL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.4979° N, 89.7824° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4979&lon=-89.7824&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6161, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bierman Greg M RV-14A (registry code 0564048, https://openairdocs.org/model/bierman-greg-m-rv-14a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming YIO-390 series (registry code 42418, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-yio-390-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VANS AIRCRAFT RV-14A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-390-X
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA359) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230812014399A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 08/12/2023 AT 0821CDT THE AIRCRAFT LOADED 7.79 GALLONS OF 100LL FUEL FROM THE SELF SERVE PUMP AT 3LF. AIRCRAFT DEPARTED 3LF AT APPROXIMATELY 0839CDT ON A NORTH/NORTHWEST DIRECTION TOWARD THE TOWN OF VIRDEN, IL. ONCE OVER THE TOWN OF VIRDEN THE AIRCRAFT TURNED ON A SOUTHWEST DIRECTION. FIVE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS AT A LOW ALTITUDE APPROXIMATELY 500-1000 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AND INVERTED AS IT FLEW OVER THE TOWN. TWO WITNESSES THAT WERE CLOSEST TO THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS UPRIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AT APPROXIMATELY 0848 THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE EDGE OF A TREELINE APPROXIMATELY .25MILES STRAIGHT SOUTH FROM THE CORNER OF DEAN STREET AND N. HENRIETTA STREET ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF VIRDEN. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AT A STEEP ANGLE INTO THE TREELINE ON A SOUTHWEST HEADING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN23FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA359), Aug 12, 2023: Vans RV14 (N6161), Virden, IL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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