Lesson: If Not Familiar With New Type of Aircraft, PLEASE Get
Additional Guidance/Instruction
There are a great variety of exciting and innovative
experimental aircraft on the used market... but many of them have
unique handling, performance or operational issues that DO require
more insight than the average spam can. If in doubt, get solid
guidance and/or instruction from persons with actual experience
with the aircraft in question...
KR-2 File Photo
NTSB Identification: ERA12LA011
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, October 06, 2011 in Wytheville,
VA
Aircraft: RIVERS WILLIAM J KR-2, registration: N7026G
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
From The NTSB Prelim: On October 6, 2011, about
1310 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Rivers KR-2, N7026G,
was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, following a
loss of control during initial climb, at Mountain Empire Airport
(MKJ), Wytheville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was
fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no
flight plan was filed for the local test flight conducted under 14
Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to eyewitnesses at MKJ, the pilot had recently
purchased the airplane but had never flown it or another of the
same type. The witnesses said that during the morning on the day of
the accident the pilot conducted numerous high speed taxis on the
runway to get familiar with the feel of the airplane. The witnesses
also said the pilot would momentarily lift the airplane off of the
runway and then land, again in an effort to become familiar with
the
airplane.
That afternoon, the pilot again performed a number of high speed
taxis before taking off from Runway 8. The airplane was next
observed to climb to traffic pattern altitude and then make a left
turn to join the crosswind leg of the pattern. Then after
completing the turn the airplane appeared to stall and then spin,
and then disappear from sight.
Examination of the accident site and airplane by Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors revealed that the airplane
appeared to have impacted in a flat attitude and the majority of
the airplane was then consumed by a post impact fire.
According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot
certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most
recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on November
20, 2009. He reported 105 total hours of flight experience on that
date.
According to FAA records, the airplane's special airworthiness
certificate was issued on October 1, 2003. The airplane's most
recent conditional inspection was completed on September 20, 2011
and at the time of the accident; the airplane had accrued
approximately 67 total hours of operation.
The airplane was retained by the NTSB for further
examination.