What happened
On May 17, 2024, at approximately 1430 EDT, an M-Squared Aircraft Inc. Breese 2, registration N99VY, crashed near Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR) in Culpeper, Virginia. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a test flight. The pilot, a commercial pilot, was performing his first solo flight in this specific model after completing several hours of dual instruction in similar aircraft. The purpose of the flight was to practice air work and aerodynamic stalls.
A representative of the operator, Flying Club 1 Inc., observed the preflight inspection and the engine run-up, noting no anomalies. Video footage captured the aircraft taking off from runway 22 and climbing normally for approximately 10 seconds. The observer then saw the aircraft perform a right turn to the west with a normal bank angle and climb. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a sharper right turn and moved out of the observer's line of sight; the engine noise remained audible while the aircraft was visible.
A second witness, located approximately 0.75 nautical miles southwest of the airport, observed the aircraft flying south and turning west. She did not observe the aircraft descending toward the ground, but shortly after the aircraft left her view, she heard a sound consistent with an impact.
The wreckage was located in a farm field roughly 0.90 nautical miles southwest of CJR. The aircraft's empennage was folded forward over the forward section of the airframe, and the nosewheel and forward support were crushed, which was consistent with a steep vertical descent. There was no evidence of fire at the site.
The investigation
Investigators confirmed flight control continuity from all primary surfaces to the center structure, though the control stick and its associated rods were impact-damaged and separated. The left and right wing fuel tanks were approximately half full of automotive gasoline, and the fuel selector was set to the BOTH position.
A whole airframe parachute system was installed on the aircraft. While the rocket and parachute had deployed from the canister, the parachute remained folded in its packed cylinder shape, suggesting it deployed after the impact with the terrain. The activation handle and its 'Remove Before Flight' pin were found still installed.
The engine remained attached to the airframe. The propeller, a three-blade composite model, showed damage to one blade, while the other two were largely undamaged. Engine continuity was confirmed, and spark plugs showed normal combustion signatures.
Maintenance records indicated the aircraft had been flying infrequently; following a purchase by Flying Club 1 Inc. in September 2023, the pilot had volunteered to complete the remaining five hours of required phase 1 flight testing. This flight was the first since 2022.