September 2, 2016, Viborg, S.D.
Van’s RV-6 Experimental
At about 1000 Central time, the airplane impacted a corn field. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
NTSB Reports: December 2016
Except for the main wreckage area, there was no noticeable damage to the fields corn stalks. The cockpit, engine cowling and a majority of the fuselage were consumed by fire, although the wings and empennage were mostly intact. Witnesses reported hearing the engine sputtering, and then heard a thud and saw a fireball. They did not observe the airplane in the air.
Key Takeaways:
- A majority of the reported aviation incidents resulted in fatalities, with several occurring during critical flight phases like takeoff, landing, or low-altitude maneuvers.
- Common contributing factors included engine or mechanical failures, leading to forced landings, inflight fires/breakups, or loss of control.
- Pilot judgment issues, such as disregard for weather advisories, engagement in low-level high-speed aerobatics, and communication failures, also played a role in multiple accidents, including a mid-air collision.
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