M-Squared Breese 2 | N99VY

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot agreed to perform 5.0 hours of test flight in the accident aircraft, although he had not flown this aircraft or this type before. The aircraft had not flown for the preceding 18 months, and the accident pilot did not possess a medical certificate at the time of the accident. The aircraft made a series of climbing turns where flight below DMMS was allowed to occur, and the aircraft stalled and spun. The stall altitude was too low to effect a normal stall recovery. The aircraft was equipped with a ballistic parachute system but the safety pin was found to be still in place, preventing i’s use. The associated parachute rocket motor activated upon impact and deployed the chute after impact.

The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft be extremely careful in test flight or return to service operations, and flights involving aircraft that have undergone maintenance and have not flown for extended periods of time. The DTSB recommends the removal of BRS safety pins prior to takeoff, and a well briefed wings level climb to safe altitude before any pitch, power or speed changes are made in these type of flights.