NTSB Factual Report

On August 18, 2018, at an unknown time, an experimental Olsson Pietenpol Aircamper airplane, N88HK, impacted mountainous desert terrain about 2 miles east of the Montezuma Airport (19AZ), Camp Verde, Arizona. The commercial pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from 19AZ, about 1400, with a stop at Cottonwood Airport (P52), Cottonwood, Arizona, then a return flight to 19AZ.

According to the pilot's wife, the purpose of the flight was to increase the pilot's confidence in a conventional-gear airplane (tailwheel). The wife added that the passenger was a non-current flight instructor in a tailwheel airplane.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators responded to the accident site. The first identified point of impact (FIPC) was a 12-inch by 4-inch depression, adjacent to the tail wheel. The debris field was contained within about a ten-foot radius of the main wreckage. The main wreckage was comprised of all major airframe components, oriented on a magnetic heading of 78º. Both wood propeller blade roots remained attached to the propeller hub, which remained attached to the engine. The engine remained attached to the airframe.

The airplane was recovered for further examination.