I don't want to minimize this tragedy in any way, but it caught my eye that this is a RV3A...how many tricycle gear RV3's are out there? I guess I incorrectly assumed the answer was probably zero.
 
Hey folks - this is bad enough for the family that we don’t do speculation before the wreckage has cooled! Doug’s rules say that if a post even hints of speculating on a cause, it’s toast. At this stage, none of us knows anything except that the aircraft and pilot were lost.
 
Wow this is scary! Not sure how to handle this. I have been flying mine and have about 60 hrs on it and treating it in a very very gentle way. But I do wish there were people that know these RV 3’s that can do some inspections on them as most of the builders have moved on in one way or another. For the help of the other owners I hope we can get so honest history of this RV 3A.
 
Ugh, so young. It will be interesting to learn more about the failure in due time. Condolences to his family and friends, including the one flying with him.