Backovich GP-5 Flown By Lee Behel Appeared To Come Apart In Flight

The NTSB has released its preliminary report from an accident which occurred September 8th at Reno-Stead Airport (KRST) during a practice race for the National Air Race Championships.

According to the information released by the NTSB, Behel's experimental amateur built Backovich GP-5 airplane, N501GP, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an in-flight breakup while participating in the practice race.

The airplane was registered to Lancair Northwest LLC, Portland, Oregon, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the air race flight. The local flight originated from KRTS about 5 minutes prior to the accident.

Witnesses reported that the accident airplane departed runway 26, turned south and maneuvered to enter the race course. As the airplane was observed passing outer pylon 5, portions of the right wing separated from the wing structure. Subsequently, the airplane began to roll to the right and impacted terrain.

Examination of the accident site by representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that wreckage debris was scattered between race pylons 5 and 6 of the outer race course. All major structural components of the airplane were located within the approximate 4,000 foot long debris path. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov