What happened
On September 16, 2012, a LANCAIR COMPANY LC42-550FG, registration N6512Y, was involved in an accident at Okeechobee, Florida. The pilot was performing an experiment to determine touchdown points on the runway using RNAV/GPS guidance.
Video evidence from a witness showed two high-speed, shallow approaches. During the first attempt, the aircraft touched down well past the normal touchdown zone at a high rate of descent before climbing back into the traffic pattern. On the second approach, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at a low altitude and high speed. The aircraft struck the ground in a flat attitude, causing the nose landing gear to separate from the airframe and the propeller to strike the runway. After the impact, the aircraft pitched up, the tail struck the runway, and the plane climbed away. Approximately one-half mile from the end of the runway, the aircraft collided with containers and vehicles in a commercial lot. There were 2 minor injuries and 0 fatalities.
The investigation
The pilot stated that he became preoccupied with the aircraft's instrumentation during the experiment, leading to a hard landing. He noted that he did not immediately realize the aircraft had sustained serious damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact that would have prevented normal operation.