Witnesses Described The Airplane Recovered Successfully From Two Different Forward Tumbles Before It Impacted Terrain

Location: Las Cruces, NM Accident Number: WPR25FA020
Date & Time: October 20, 2024, 14:24 Local Registration: N512DW
Aircraft: Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH EA 300/L Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Air race/show

On October 20, 2024, about 1424 mountain daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH EA 300/L, N512DW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident at the Law Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot was fatally injured. 

The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air show flight. The pilot was taking part in the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo and was nearing the end of his aerobatic routine. The pilot’s routine began at 1414 with a scheduled duration of 15 minutes. Recorded video, captured by various spectators showed the accident airplane complete two forward tumble maneuvers oriented along the lateral pitch axis and enter a third tumble. About halfway through the third tumble, the airplane stopped the maneuver and was oriented in an inverted, almost level attitude. The airplane then pitched downward and entered an approximate 60° to 70° nose low upright attitude. Subsequently, the airplane began to roll to the right just before it impacted terrain. 

Numerous witnesses described the airplane recovered successfully from two different forward tumbles before it impacted terrain.

The airplane came to rest in desert terrain about 200 ft northwest of runway 4/22 at LRU at an elevation of about 4,434 ft oriented on a heading of 130° magnetic. The initial point of impact was a ground impression consistent with the right wing tip. The right wing was separated and located adjacent to the initial ground impression. At the root of the right wing, a large crater about 6 ft in diameter and 1 ft deep was observed. The main wreckage was located about 20 ft beyond the larger impact crater. All the major structural components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov