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.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov