NYC95LA176

The airplane took off, remained in the airport traffic pattern and had turned onto final approach. Without warning, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane's right wing made two downward dips. The airplane then entered a nose down, right roll which continued until the airplane impacted the ground in an inverted attitude. Flight control continuity was not established because of extensive impact damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,369 total flight hours, and had accured 4.5 hours in this aircraft since it was certificated 10 months before the accident.

On July 26, 1995, about 0948 eastern daylight time, a Vari Viggen, experimental, homebuilt airplane, N93VV, collided with the ground while maneuvering at a low altitude at the Virginia Highlands Airport, Abingdon, Virginia. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane took off, remained in the airport traffic pattern and had turned onto final approach. Without warning, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane entered a roll to the right, and impacted the ground.

According to the FAA, a video of this flight and accident showed the airplane from takeoff to final approach, for a planned "fly- by."

The FAA Inspector viewed the video, and stated:

After the aircraft turned onto final the right wing made two downward dips then the aircraft entered a nose down right roll. The aircraft continued the roll (nose down) until it impacted the ground at a very high speed...when the aircraft impacted the ground the right roll was about 235 degrees completed. The nose and left wing contacted the ground about the same time.

Examination of the wreckage revealed the landing gear was in the up position. According to the FAA, flight control continuity was not established because of "extensive" impact damage.

At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,369 total flight hours, and 4.5 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The airplane had been certified on September 21, 1994, and the pilot had logged 4.5 flight hours in the airplane from the date of certification to the accident.

The reported local weather was; 1,700 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 79 degrees F, dew point 65 degrees F, wind 200 degrees, 4 knots, altimeter 30.09 inches Hg.

Medical and pathological information

An autopsy was performed on the pilot, on July 27, 1995, at the Medical Examiner's Office, in Roanoke, Virginia, by Dr. David Oxley.

Toxicological tests were conducted at the Division of Forensic Science, Commonwealth of Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, and revealed, "no drugs or alcohol ."