Lancair EVOLUTION accident near McDermott, OH
On May 28, 2021, a Lancair EVOLUTION (airplane) was involved in an accident near McDermott, OH. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 28, 2021
- Place
- McDermott, OH
- Aircraft
- Lancair EVOLUTION · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.818°N, 83.028°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210528103162
Official records · CEN21FA238
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- FAA Air Traffic Control Report - Excerpt: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- NTSB Air Traffic Control Specialist's Factual Report: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 28, 2021, about 1048 eastern daylight time, a Lancair Evolution airplane, N515DL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near McDermott, Ohio. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of air traffic control (ATC) information revealed that the airplane departed about 1014 from Bellefontaine Regional Airport (EDJ), Bellefontaine, Ohio, on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, with a destination of Charleston International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina. After departure from EDJ, the airplane climbed to 25,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and accelerated to 215 knots groundspeed. During the next 1 minute and 43 seconds, the airplane gradually decelerated to a groundspeed of 146 knots while in level flight on a southeast heading. Based on winds aloft of 265° at 47 knots, the airplane had decelerated to a calibrated airspeed of about 76 knots. The airplane subsequently entered a left turn and descended rapidly. A distressed conversation between the pilot and passenger was transmitted, during which the pilot stated, “I don’t know what happened….it won’t perform.” The controller attempted unsuccessfully to contact the pilot and radar contact was lost. A witness on the ground saw the airplane in a spiral descent. The airplane impacted wooded terrain and a postimpact fire ensued. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONAccording to a Lancair Owner and Builders Organization (LOBO) representative, the pilot received Lancair Evolution transiti
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid airframe icing conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane performance and a subsequent loss of control and in-flight break-up.
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Browse: Ohio · Lancair aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.