“As The Airplane Went Higher, The Tail Dropped And The Plane Went Into A Back Flip.”

Location: Mayfield, KY Accident Number: ERA21FA135
Date & Time: February 22, 2021, 17:56 Local Registration: N383DB
Aircraft: BABENCO HENRY D. RV-7 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 22, 2021, about 1756 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-7, N383DB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mayfield, Kentucky. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Several witnesses observed the airplane as it conducted touch-and-go landings on runway 1 at Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25), Mayfield, Kentucky. Another witness who was in a vehicle traveling eastbound on a nearby highway saw the airplane climbing, and stated that “as the airplane went higher, the tail dropped and the plane went into a back flip.” The airplane then “headed nose first towards the ground.” The airplane impacted the ground about 1,000 ft north of the airport in an open field.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that all components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident scene and flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to each flight control surface. In addition, there was an odor similar to aviation fuel in the vicinity of the wreckage. Examination of the airplane’s engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have  precluded normal operation.

An engine data monitor was recovered and retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov