Enid Buzz | Thursday, July 21, 2016 | UPDATED July 28, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - On July 21, 2016, about 6:40pm, a Runyan/Harris Skybolt 300 experimental amateur-built airplane, N511GS, was substantially damaged when it crashed northeast of Fairmont, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. Weather conditions were good for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Enid Woodring Regional Airport (WDG) about 6:30pm.
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According to the passenger's wife, the flight was a "last minute flight," and she was supposed to meet the airplane at Vance Air Force Base, (END) about 15 minutes after their scheduled departure time.
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A witness located ½ mile north of the accident location reported seeing the airplane flying earlier in the day. The witness observed the accident airplane flying for 20 to 30 seconds prior to the accident. He stated that the airplane flew over their house at a high altitude and performed a barrel roll. The airplane continued south and then pitched to climb straight up. The nose of the airplane came down through the horizon and the airplane started "tumbling" similar to what he had seen other aerobatic airplanes do. He stated that 1/3 of the way through the tumble the airplane rolled over on its back and entered an inverted flat spin. The airplane went behind the trees and he did not see the collision.
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The witness stated that he heard the engine of the airplane running the entire time – all through the maneuvers - until the sound of the airplane hitting the ground.
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The wreckage of the airplane came to rest inverted in a dormant wheat field. Both bi-wing assemblies, the fuselage, and empennage were bent, crushed, and twisted.
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Randall Harris, 55, of Owasso and 1st Lt. Dale Shillington, 25, from Vance AFB were both killed in the plane crash.
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Preliminary NTSB Report On Biplane Crash
