Vans RV4 — Green Cove Springs, FL

What happened

According to the pilot of the yellow airplane, the purpose of the flight was to check the accuracy of his airspeed indicator while flying alongside the red airplane. After completing the airspeed indicator check, the pilots of both airplanes began to conduct flight maneuvers that the pilot of the yellow airplane referred to as a “tail chase.” After a few minutes of maneuvering and one visual lead change to the red airplane, both airplanes were on a southerly heading. The pilot of the yellow airplane called off the “tail chase” and made a gradual left turn, then a few banked heading changes to the northeast before settling on an easterly heading in a gradual descent. He stated that, while descending, he suddenly saw the red airplane directly in front of him, nose-to-nose. The airplanes collided, and he saw the red airplane descend to the ground. The pilot of the yellow airplane noted that his airplane was vibrating violently and he made a forced landing in a pasture.

Examination of the wreckage area revealed that the red airplane came to rest 4 miles northwest of the departure airport. The yellow airplane came to rest 2 miles east-northeast of the red airplane and about 5 miles north of the departure airport.

Examination of the yellow airplane revealed red paint transfer marks on a 6-inch-deep, 17-inch-wide semicircle on the leading edge of the left wing. There were also red paint transfers on the lower outboard section of the right-wing leading edge. Examination of the red airplane revealed yellow paint transfers on the lower part of the rudder. A 3-ft tire skid mark was found on top of the empennage and ended at the vertical stabilizer. Examination of the flight controls and engines of both airplanes did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Toxicological testing of tissue samples from the pilot of the red airplane indicated that he had taken some cough and cold medications. From the levels of the substances observed in tissue samples, it could not be determined if, or to what extent, the pilot may have been impaired by them.

The pilots of the airplanes were intentionally maneuvering their airplanes within close proximity to each other. After losing sight of each other, the pilots then unintentionally maneuvered the airplanes such that they approached each other nearly head-on and collided.

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