The airplane was destroyed when it impacted flat terrain at an unknown time, killing the solo pilot. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight was to test a retractable tailwheel installed on the airplane. It was a flight of two, with a friend of the pilots flying behind to observe the tailwheel operation. The second pilot reported nothing unusual was noted with the flight until he observed the accident airplane flying “erratically.” He attempted to raise the accident pilot on the radio, but received no response. The second pilot was able to catch up to the accident airplane and observed the accident pilot slumped over in the cockpit. The second pilot stayed with the accident airplane until his airplane became low on fuel, at which point he returned to his base.
