N6161Vans Aircraft RV-14A · 2022

On August 12, 2023, about 0848 central daylight time, a Vans RV-14A airplane, N6161, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Virden, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration captured the accident flight. The airplane departed the Litchfield Municipal Airport (3LF), Litchfield, Illinois, from runway 27 at 0838. The airplane flew to the north toward Virden and at 0847 made a sharp left turn with an estimated heading change of 125° and headed toward the southwest.

Witnesses in Virden observed the airplane flying to the southwest inverted. Some reported the engine made unusual noises. One observed the airplane bank left and roll the airplane upright before the airplane descended and impacted terrain.

The airplane collided with trees and terrain about 0.8 miles southwest of the center of Virden. The first impact signatures were broken tree limbs about 20 ft above the ground. The main impact point was located just beneath the trees. Evidence at the scene was consist with an impact angle around 45° nose low. The airplane remained relatively intact with both wings, the engine, fuselage, and empennage accounted for at the accident site.

The airplane was retained for further examination.