N121DF

On April 11, 2025, about 1906 central daylight time (CDT), an experimental amateur-built Azalea Aviation LLC Saberwing, N121DF, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Justin, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the airframe kit manufacturer, the pilot was returning to Propwash Airport (16X), Justin, Texas. He departed the Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD) Valdosta, Georgia about 1120 eastern daylight time, with a stop at the Ralph C. Weiser Field Airport (AGO) Magnolia, Arkansas. ADS-B data showed that the airplane arrived at AGO about 1621 CDT. About that time, the manufacturer received a text from the pilot who informed him that he arrived at AGO, needed fuel, all was running well, and that he would try to make it home today.

Preliminary ADS-B data showed the airplane depart AGO about 1705 CDT and ascended to 4,300 ft mean sea level (msl) on a westerly heading toward 16X. About 1900 CDT the flight track data showed the airplane descended from 2,275 ft to about 1,250 ft and made a series of maneuvers and altitude changes that were consistent with entering the airport traffic pattern. A witness, located at the airport, described seeing the airplane while it was on the downwind leg for runway 35 at a low altitude when it made the base leg turn.

Witnesses located in a housing community about 0.6 miles south of the airport saw the airplane heading south, turn left, when the left wing dropped, and the airplane turned upside down. One witness saw the airplane spin about one and a half revolutions before it descended out of their sight behind a house. No witnesses reported seeing the airplane impact the terrain.

The airplane came to rest upright in an open field, about .5 miles southwest of the threshold for runway 35, on a heading of 200° magnetic, and an elevation of about 762 ft msl. The first point of impact was directly underneath the engine which was embedded in the soil about ten inches. A postaccident fire consumed most of the airframe. All major components of the airplane remained adjacent to the fuselage except for the upper structure of the left wing and portions of the fractured canopy, which were located near the main wreckage. A small debris area extended about 30 ft around the wreckage.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.