ERA26FA326

On September 3, 2026, about 0815 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Evolution airplane, N305PV, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Tampa, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary information obtained from the FAA, an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the accident flight departing from Tampa Executive Airport (VDF), Tampa, Florida, with a destination of Elizabeth City Regional Airport (ECG), Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Review of air traffic control data revealed that the pilot acknowledged and correctly read back his IFR clearance and takeoff instructions. The instructions were to fly runway heading (050°) to 2,000 ft and expect 17,000 ft, 10 minutes after departure. No further communications were received from the accident airplane. Review of ADS-B data and security video revealed that the airplane lifted off and turned left, approximately halfway down the 5,000-ft-long runway, at a groundspeed about 80 knots. The airplane flew a 180° left turn in a nose-high, steep left bank, before it descended nose-down into terrain. The wreckage was located in a wooded area of a state water management facility, about 1/3-mile northwest of the touchdown zone for runway 5 at VDF. A debris path was observed, originating with severed tree branches, followed by ground scars, and then terminating at the main wreckage. The debris path was approximately 70 ft-long, on a magnetic course of 220°, and at a descent angle about 35° through the trees. The wreckage came to rest inverted, on a magnetic heading of 310°, and a majority of the airplane’s composite airframe was consumed by a postcrash fire. All major components of the airplane were identified. The engine remained attached to the firewall at the front of the wreckage. Three of the five composite propeller blades remained attached to the hub. The inboard sections of both wings were located behind the engine. The empennage was consumed by fire with the exception of a rudder counterweight and pieces of the rudder that were located underneath the main wreckage. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, airplane single engine sea, and instrument airplane. He was operating under the provisions of BasicMed with his most recent examination and course completed on April 25, 2026. Review of training records revealed that he reported 1,203 total hours of flight experience when he began initial transition training for the make and model airplane on August 26, 2025. The airplane was assembled from a kit in 2020 and issued an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate. It was powered by a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-135A, 550-horsepower turboprop engine, driving a five-blade constant speed Hartzell propeller. The airplane’s most recent condition inspection was completed onAugust 26, 2026. At that time, the airframe and engine had accumulated 581 hours since new. The wreckage was retained for further examination.