April 12, 2006, Pearce, Ariz. / Velocity Aircraft XL-RG Experimental

At about 1515 Mountain time, the airplane collided with desert terrain. The Airline Transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. The operator recently purchased the airplane, outfitting it with numerous recording devices in an effort to obtain aerodynamic information of the airplane. The accident flights test protocol encompassed standard banks and maneuvers. The airplane wreckage was situated on level desert terrain, comprised of dirt and brush. The airplane sustained extensive thermal damage from a post-impact ground fire....

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed in the desert under visual conditions, resulting in the fatal injury of the sole pilot and the aircraft's destruction, including extensive thermal damage from a post-impact fire.
  • The accident occurred during a test flight of a recently purchased airplane, which was outfitted with numerous recording devices to obtain aerodynamic information through standard banks and maneuvers.
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At about 1515 Mountain time, the airplane collided with desert terrain. The Airline Transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. The operator recently purchased the airplane, outfitting it with numerous recording devices in an effort to obtain aerodynamic information of the airplane. The accident flights test protocol encompassed standard banks and maneuvers. The airplane wreckage was situated on level desert terrain, comprised of dirt and brush. The airplane sustained extensive thermal damage from a post-impact ground fire.

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