Tragically this beautiful aircraft, and its unique P&W R-1535 engine, was destroyed and builder /pilot Jim Wright killed when it crashed in Yellowstone National Park, WY., on 4th August of the following year whilst returning to its Oregon base after attending Oshkosh AirVenture 2003.

Crashed with the death of the pilot/owner James Wright on August 4, 2003 in Wyoming. The probable cause of the accident was the in-flight loss of a propeller counterweight, followed by the pilots loss of aircraft control during a forced landing attempt and subsequent inadvertent stall/spin to the ground.