Van's RV-7A, N30SG, fatal accident occurred on August 12, 2025, at Ryan Field (2MT1), West Glacier, Montana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N30SG

Nevada Flyboys LLP

On August 12, 2025, at about 1500 local time, a Van's RV-7A, N30SG, registered to Nevada Flyboys LLP out of Minden, Nevada, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Ryan Field (2MT1), West Glacier, Montana. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from Kalispell City Airport (S27), Kalispell, Montana, and was destined to 2MT1.

According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at about 1425 local time, the airplane departed runway 13 at Kalispell and entered a climbing left turn to a cruising altitude of 5,000 ft. The airplane was tracking north when the data stopped 10 minutes after takeoff. At 1442 LT, the airplane was seen again in the vicinity of Ryan Field. Between 1442 and 1452, the airplane was seen circling the airfield, but the validity of this data is unknown at this point. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 1456:47, the airplane was at 4375 ft, 82 knots ground speed, and descending northeast of the airfield. (figure 1)

Figure 1: ADS-B Exchange data of end of flight

There were no known witnesses to the accident. The sheriff reported that the airplane was found down an embankment and inverted off the runway.

On August 13, 2025, the FAA provided more information, stating:

"AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER RIGHT WING CLIPPED A TREE ON ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND, KALISPELL, MT."

- Pilot Info:

unknown at this point.

- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 71130, was manufactured in 2014. The low-wing, two-seat airplane was equipped with a 180-horsepower TMX Mattituck O-360 engine.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:

unknown at this point.

- Airport Information:

Ryan Field (2MT1) is a privately owned airfield located 1 mile southwast of West Glacier, Montana. It features a single turf runway 15 which is 2500 x 65 ft. The airport elevation was 3660 ft. (Figure 2)

Figure 2: Overview of 2MT1 from Google Earth with end of track portion, note "extend to ground option is disabled to make it easier to view.

According to an additional remark, pilots must obtain a mandatory safety briefing before landing at the airfield. This briefing can be obtained at https://theraf.org/ryan-field/

According to the website:

"Prior to arrival, each pilot is required to review and acknowledge the current safety briefing, updated annually. If you are not yet an Airfield Guide user, you will need to create a free account. The RAF requires the electronic record that you received the briefing. It is valid only for the pilot making the request.

Ryan Field – as all backcountry – is for recreational enjoyment, not training. Please no touch and goes. Land, stretch your legs, have a picnic, and enjoy the area! If you'd like to pitch your tent or reserve a camping cabin, even better!"

To confirm that you've read the briefing, the website gives you two info boxes, one for your name and other for your aircraft's N number (registration, see figure 3).

Figure 3: Safety Briefing, screenshot via "blancolirio" youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NijcT0baS_o

- Weather:

The closest weather reporting station, Glacier Park International Airport (KGPI), Kalispell, Montana, located 16 nautical miles away, reported the following conditions:

Recorded at 1455 (5 minutes before the accident) noted: winds 160 at at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 31°C, dew point 11°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury (inHg).

The calculated density altitude was roughly 6462 ft.

METAR KGPI 122055Z 16006KT 10SM CLR 31/11 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP098 T03110106 56018 <<

METAR KGPI 122155Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 32/10 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP089 T03170100

- Additional Information:

no