N272T

On April 26, 2003, at 1050 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental Smith Rans S-7 N272T, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was destroyed on impact with terrain about three miles east of Baudette, Minnesota, after the airplane was observed maneuvering over a house at tree top level. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time at the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The student pilot was fatally injured. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Baudette, Minnesota, at an unknown time.

According to a written statement given by a witness, the airplane was observed flying "very low." The witness stated she saw the airplane heading south and proceeded to "go up and turn toward the left." She stated, "the turn was very sharp and the left wing dropped and the plane nose-dived into the ground." She reported, "It [the airplane], fell very fast."

The pilot, age 50, held a student certificate with an endorsement for the accident airplane. The pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on April 6, 2000 with the following restriction: "must wear lenses for distant - possess glasses for near vision." A total flight time of 52 hours was reported upon his airman medical certificate application.

The accident airplane was an amateur-built Smith Rans S-7, serial number 0496184. The Rans S-7 is an experimental category high-wing airplane with a two-seat front and rear configuration; the airplane has fixed tail wheel landing gear. The Rans S-7 is powered by a Bombardier Rotax series engine. The accident airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate on July 17, 1998. and a registration certificate on December 10, 2002. The pilot was the registered owner of the airplane.

The airplane was found resting on its left side with the nose section of the airplane in a ditch. The tail section was displaced toward the left, and was approximately 3 feet above the ground. The nose section was bent laterally to the right. The canopy of the airplane was destroyed. The main landing gear was separated from the airframe. Both wings were bent downward. The right wing tip was resting on the ground. The left wing was twisted downwards with its leading edge touching the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The Baudette, Minnesota, Automated Surface Observing System located approximately 3 miles west of the accident site, recorded at 1053: wind 120 degrees at 5 knots; 10 statute miles visibility; sky condition clear; temperature 12 degrees Celsius; dew point -1 degree Celsius; altimeter setting 29.83 inches of mercury.

An autopsy of the pilot was not performed.