At about 14:04 EDT, a Classic Aircraft S-51D experimental airplane registered to the company crashed near Tamarac, killing the pilot. The flight had departed the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 13:49 as part of the 40-hour test period required for certification. The pilot was about five miles west of the airport when he radioed the control tower that he was having a problem raising the landing gear and he wanted to return to the airport. At 14:04, he radioed that he had lost the engine. Radar and radio contact was lost shortly thereafter. A witness in the area said he heard the engine losing power and sputtering and saw the aircraft make a controlled descent to the ground. After impact the cockpit area was engulfed in flames.
May 20, Tamarac, Fla. / Classic Aircraft S-51D
At about 14:04 EDT, a Classic Aircraft S-51D experimental airplane registered to the company crashed near Tamarac, killing the pilot. The flight had departed the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 13:49 as part of the 40-hour test period required for certification. The pilot was about five miles west of the airport when he radioed the control tower that he was having a problem raising the landing gear and he wanted to return to the airport. At 14:04, he radioed that he had lost the engine. Radar and radio contact was lost shortly thereafter. A witness in the area said he heard the engine losing power and sputtering and saw the aircraft make a controlled descent to the ground. After impact...
Key Takeaways:
- An experimental Classic Aircraft S-51D plane crashed near Tamarac at approximately 14:04 EDT, killing the pilot.
- The aircraft was on a 40-hour test flight for certification when the pilot first reported problems raising the landing gear, then later stated he had lost the engine.
- Witnesses observed the engine sputtering and the aircraft making a controlled descent before impact, after which the cockpit was engulfed in flames.
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