Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Aircraft Designs Stallion, N262KT: Accident occurred March 13, 2022 near Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1), Jasper County, South Carolina

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina

Martin Aviation Services LLC
Location: Ridgeland, South Carolina 
Accident Number: ERA22LA155
Date and Time: March 13, 2022, 15:00 Local
Registration: N262KT
Aircraft: S D MARTIN STALLION 
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test

On March 13, 2022, at 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Aircraft Designs Inc. Stallion airplane, N262KT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 flight test flight.

The pilot reported that the accident flight was the airplane’s 5th flight during phase 1 flight testing for the experimental amateur-built airworthiness certificate. During the takeoff roll on runway 18 at the Ridgeland Claude Dean Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina, he noticed an amber caution message for high voltage of the No. 1 alternator on the electronic flight instrumentation system. As he raised the landing gear after liftoff, at an altitude of about 50 ft above ground level, the engine stopped. He moved the landing gear handle back to the “down” position, performed a forced landing straight ahead into an open field, and touched down about 350 yards from the departure end of the runway.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower center fuselage structure.

The pilot further reported that he found the primary alternator circuit breaker open after the accident.

The airplane was equipped with an experimental dual Full Authority Digital Engine Control system, which was powered by a secondary 12VDC electrical bus that included a backup battery.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: S D MARTIN 
Registration: N262KT
Model/Series: STALLION
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: NBC,37 ft msl 
Observation Time: 14:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C /-8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 130°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.44 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Ridgeland, SC 
Destination: Ridgeland, SC

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 32.49,-80.99 (est)

Aircraft departed, experienced engine issues and made a forced landing in a briar patch.  

Date: 13-MAR-22
Time: 20:30:00Z
Regis#: N262KT
Aircraft Make: AIRCRAFT DESIGNS
Aircraft Model: STALLION
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: RIDGELAND
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

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