Witnesses Said Airplane Was Flying "Unstable" And "Fast"

The NTSB has released its preliminary report from an accident in Ft. Pierce, FL which fatally injured the commercial-rated pilot on board the airplane.

According to the report, at  about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Bedecorp BD-22L, N224BD, was destroyed when it impacted the ground near Fort Pierce, Florida, after departing St. Lucie County International Airport (KFPR), Fort Pierce, Florida.

The airplane was owned and operated by Bedecorp, LLC. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The test flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and originated from FPR, about 1055.

According to the manufacturer, this was the pilot's first time operating the airplane. In addition, the pilot was to only perform high speed taxi tests in order to familiarize himself with the airplane.

According to a witness, the airplane performed two high speed taxi tests. Then, the airplane departed runway 28L, appeared to have "issues" because it was flying "unstable and …fast." According to another witness, when the airplane turned on to the final leg of the traffic pattern, it "violently pitch[ed] up and down" and then began a nose down descent. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 28L.

According to FAA records, the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate on February 11, 2015, and registered to Bedecorp, LLC. The special airworthiness certificate was issued for the purpose of research and development and market survey. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-L2C engine. At the time of the accident the airplane had accumulated about one hour of total time.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it impacted terrain in a nose down position and came to rest inverted on a 092 degree heading. There was an impact crater approximately 18 inches deep and all major components of the airplane were located in the vicinity of the wreckage. The airplane, forward of the aft bulkhead to the nose section, was consumed by postimpact fire. The engine was located in the impact crater and remained attached to the fuselage through control cables. The top spark plugs were removed, each cylinder was boroscoped, and no anomalies were noted.

A GoPro Video Camera was obtained from the accident site and shipped to the NTSB recorders laboratory for data download. A preliminary review of the camera revealed that the engine was operating during the accident sequence. The airframe was retained for further investigation.

(Image provided by St. Lucie County Sheriff)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov