RV3A in-flight breakup, Lakeland FL

Young man was only 23. I lost my son at that age, so I know how the family feels. Crushing doesn't begin to describe it.

He was flying formation, but nothing crazy. Looks like break out and rejoins, level at 2000' AGL and 130 kts, nothing high G. Nothing in reports about wearing a chute, but from the description of the accident, I doubt he had time to get out.

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The RV3 has a main spar inspection requirement. I would guess the history of this particular aircraft will be a key point of investigation.

@Half Fast the accident aircraft was reportedly based at Winter Haven.

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"There is an RV-3A model, but its designation does not follow VanGrunsven's normal system, where "A" models are nosewheel equipped versions. An RV-3A is an early RV-3 that has undergone rear spar and wing root upgrades as described in Van's publication CN-1. Due to ongoing structural concerns, the production of RV-3 kits was suspended in 1996."

Terrible...
 
Terrible news. Prayers for his family, and especially for the friend who was flying with him. I'm sure he's feeling sick right now.

I don't recall meeting the young man, but we had some mutual aquaintances. I've seen the plane on occasion.

Damn.
 
tobnpr said:
"There is an RV-3A model, but its designation does not follow VanGrunsven's normal system, where "A" models are nosewheel equipped versions. An RV-3A is an early RV-3 that has undergone rear spar and wing root upgrades as described in Van's publication CN-1. Due to ongoing structural concerns, the production of RV-3 kits was suspended in 1996."

Terrible...
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I knew there had been some structural breakups of RVs years ago, but thought most were just attributed to overloading/over stressing the airframe. I remember a photo of an RV-(6?) with a bunch of the Van's staff standing on the wings proving the structural strength. I just assumed RV-3 kits were suspended because single seat aircraft have a limited market.
 
midwestpa24 said:
I knew there had been some structural breakups of RVs years ago, but thought most were just attributed to overloading/over stressing the airframe. I remember a photo of an RV-(6?) with a bunch of the Van's staff standing on the wings proving the structural strength. I just assumed RV-3 kits were suspended because single seat aircraft have a limited market.
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The 3a should have been the fixup for that.
In any case, the plane was first registered thirty years back, and who knows how many hours its flown, and under what conditions. It appears that Mr. Robinson may have only recently acquired the thing.
 
The pilot who he was flying formation with posted in Van’s Air Force. The accident plane did not do aerobatics or any aggressive maneuvering on that flight. When the wing broke, he was in a 60 degree bank 10 degree nose up right break - so probably 2G, maybe 2.2.
 
ateamer said:
The pilot who he was flying formation with posted in Van’s Air Force. The accident plane did not do aerobatics or any aggressive maneuvering on that flight. When the wing broke, he was in a 60 degree bank 10 degree nose up right break - so probably 2G, maybe 2.2.
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That leads me to believe there was a pre-existing issue. The 3A’s should be very happy within normal or utility category type use.
 
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