WPR19FA159

The non-certificated pilot was seen by witnesses flying at low altitude, which they described as near treetop and powerline level. One witness reported that the airplane entered a “straight up” climb about 300 ft, then dove to the ground and leveled the airplane about 50 ft above ground; the pilot did this three times before the accident occurred during the fourth maneuver. Another witness reported that, during the last maneuver, at the top of the climb, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, spun to the left, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Given the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and spin.

On June 4, 2019, about 1943 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Titan II airplane, N4362V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Summerville, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Family members reported that the pilot recently purchased the airplane and completed its assembly three days before the accident. They stated that the accident flight was the pilot’s third flight since assembly. Witnesses in the area of the accident site reported seeing the airplane flying at treetop or power line level. One witness reported that he watched the airplane climb “straight up” about 300 ft, then dive to the ground and level out about 50 ft above ground level three times before the accident maneuver. Another witness reported observing similar maneuvers with the pilot “gunning the engine hard, then backing off.” This witness reported that, during the last maneuver, at the top of the climb to 300 ft, the airplane aerodynamically stalled, spun to the left, and impacted the ground. The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing on the pilot’s tissue, with negative findings for all tested-for drugs. The pilot did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration pilot or medical certificate. The pilot’s family reported that the pilot did not keep track of any flight hours. The wreckage was located in a flat, open field. All major structural components were located with the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was established for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. Examination of the engine revealed that all four spark plugs exhibited signatures consistent with normal wear. The crankshaft was manually rotated by hand at the propeller. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine valve train. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. No anomalies were revealed with the engine driven fuel pump, or the carburetors. The fuel filter appeared free of debris.