Amateur-built RV7 accident near Mayfield, Kentucky, February 22, 2021

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The private pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. A witness stated that, during the departure climb, “as the airplane went higher…the tail dropped, and the plane went into a back flip.” The witness then observed the airplane come out of the “flip” and descend “nose first” toward the ground. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain north of the departure airport. Another witness reported that he observed the airplane climbing at a high angle of attack during the takeoff. Postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the wreckage was confined to a small area, which was consistent with a near-vertical impact. The wings showed symmetrical accordion-like crushing damage. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. According to the available evidence for this accident, the pilot likely exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack and entered an aerodynamic stall, resulting in the pilot’s loss of airplane control and the airplane’s subsequent impact with terrain.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.