Excel-Jet President Bob Bornhofen has had the chance to catch his breath and update ANN on the results of Thursday's unfortunate flight test accident, involving their single Sport-Jet prototype. According to the company, during takeoff for flight number 25 in the Sport-jet flight test program, the aircraft suffered an uncommanded roll at low altitude, which the company opines may have been induced by wake turbulence or weather phenomenon such as a microburst.

The airplane was piloted by James Stewart, a retired military F-16 pilot. John Welty, an A&P mechanic, accompanied Stewart in the test flight. Both men were taken to the hospital as a precaution; both were released.

"Test pilots Stewart and Ron McElroy have accumulated 25 hours of successful flight testing," reported company president Bob Bornhofen. "Sport-Jet has explored the majority of its flight envelope without problems," he added. The new single engine jet has flown to its cruise altitude of 25,000 feet and speeds approaching 300 knots. Stewart and McElroy report superb performance with excellent handling qualities. The Colorado Springs area, where Sport-Jet was completing its flight test regimen, experienced some unusual weather activities on the day of the flight.

On takeoff at approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 22, 2006, eyewitnesses report Sport-Jet rolled rapidly 90 degrees at about 30 feet of altitude. A wingtip struck the ground, cart wheeling the Sport-Jet onto its tail, which suffered major damage. While a good portion of the aircraft was substantially damaged, the carbon roll-cage style designed fuselage of Sport-jet provided significant protection for its occupants and according to an insurance expert was instrumental in minimizing the injuries.

While further investigating the incident, Excel-Jet has suspended work and indicated the company will report later on continued development of the project. Sport-Jet planned to make its official public debut at EAA's AirVenture Oshkosh, which had just been confirmed with EAA officials the day before the incident.

Excel-Jet's new Sport-Jet is a single-engine, cabin-class, 4-place personal jet aircraft aimed at the general aviation pilot. Sport-Jet has been designed for single-person operation by a pilot trained in piston-powered airplanes. Sport-Jet will sell for about $1 million, cruise at 340 knots at 25,000 feet (above 95% of all weather), and can carry four persons for more than 900 nautical miles.

FMI: www.sport-jet.com