At An Altitude Of About 50 Ft Above Ground Level, The Engine Stopped

Location: Ridgeland, SC Accident Number: ERA22LA155
Date & 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.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov