Amateur-built RV-14 N21KL accident near Lowell, Michigan

Preliminary information

On July 21, 2025, about 1627 eastern daylight time, a Van’s Aircraft RV-14A airplane, N21KL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lowell, Michigan. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot and the passenger to view N471NP (a Van’s Aircraft RV-6 airplane), that was for sale, at the Lowell City Airport (24C), Lowell, Michigan. The passenger was interested in potentially purchasing the airplane.

A preliminary review of ADS-B data showed that the pilot departed in the airplane at 1433 from his home base at the Alpena County Regional Airport (APN), Alpena, Michigan. The airplane landed at 1456 at the Oscoda/Wurtsmith Airport (OSC), Oscoda, Michigan, and the passenger boarded the airplane. The airplane departed from OSC at 1532 and flew southwest to 24C, which is a non-towered airport.

Upon approaching 24C, the airplane flew to the west of the Flat River. The ADS-B data showed that as the airplane flew over Lincoln Lake Road, it then turned to the south. Shortly after turning south, the airplane continued in a descending turn toward the east. The airplane impacted a storage unit building about 0.43 miles from the approach end of runway 12 at 24C.

When the airplane impacted the storage unit building, an explosion occurred. A postimpact fire consumed the wreckage and the storage unit building. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location.

According to a witness, he and his son observed the airplane inflight while they were driving in a vehicle near 24C on Vergennes Street. While the airplane was in the descending turn and prior to impact, they did not observe any smoke or flames emitting from the airplane, nor did they hear any abnormal engine noises such as sputtering or backfiring.

The two-seat experimental airplane was built from a kit in 2024 by the pilot, who in addition to holding a private pilot certificate (airplane single engine land), he also held a repairman certificate (experimental aircraft builder for the accident airplane). The passenger held a private pilot certificate (airplane single engine land) and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.

The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming Engines YIO-390-EXP248 reciprocating engine, part of the Thunderbolt experimental engine series. The airplane was also equipped with a Whirlwind Propellers 300-3B/A-72 three-blade controllable pitch composite propeller.

A preliminary review of meteorological data for the accident location and time did not reveal any meteorological areas of concern. The calculated density altitude for the closest meteorological reporting station was 2,266 ft.

Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25FA270 for the full record.