MOYES B/BAILEY B DRAGONFLY — Trenton, GA

What happened

The pilot departed in the experimental light-sport airplane without incident, climbed to an altitude of about 350 to 400 feet above ground level, and flew to a nearby ridgeline. Witnesses reported that the airplane looked slow as it flew parallel to the ridgeline and subsequently entered a left spiraling dive, making two descending 360-degree turns before it impacted trees. The nature of the airplane's departure from controlled flight was consistent with a stall. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with a ballistic parachute system that was found in the armed for flight position; however, it had not been activated. The pilot was familiar with the accident airplane and had flown it regularly during the previous 2 years. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration medical examination was performed about 9 years before the accident. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking a medication for the treatment of hypertension. The medical examiner noted no significant gross natural disease or focal myocardial lesions during autopsy; however, it could not be determined whether the pilot became incapacitated before the airplane's descent.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.