No Known Witnesses That Observed The Airplane Takeoff Or The Accident Itself

Location: Richmond, IN Accident Number: CEN21LA200
Date & Time: April 25, 2021, 07:45 Local Registration: N417R
Aircraft: AEROPRO CZ S R O A240 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 25, 2021, about 0745 eastern daylight time, an Aeropro CZ A240 light sport airplane, N417R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near the Richmond Municipal Airport (RID), Richmond, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

At 0737, a weather briefing was requested with an estimated departure time of 0750, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed from RID to Festus Memorial Airport (FES), Festus, Missouri, using the pilot’s ForeFlight account. The VFR flight plan was activated at 0737, the time it was filed.

At the time of the accident, an Airman’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET) advisory for instrument conditions was in effect, and low instrument conditions were recorded by the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) on the airport.

At 0742, two Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data points associated with the airplane were recorded less than 1/2 mile west of the airport. No altitude information was available.

At 0749, an individual driving near the airport contacted local authorities after he observed a fire and subsequently identified it as an airplane. It was fully engulfed when he initially saw it. There were no known witnesses that observed the airplane takeoff or the accident itself.

The airplane impacted an open field about 1/2 mile south-southwest of the airport. It came to rest upright on a northwest heading. A postimpact fire consumed the fuselage, empennage, and inboard wings with exception of the tubular airframe structure. The fuselage and wing structure were deformed consistent with impact forces.

Detailed airframe and engine exams are planned. An Appareo Stratus 3 unit was recovered and retained for download.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov