What happened
On November 19, 2025, at approximately 1630 EST, an experimental Long EZ, registration N82MT, was involved in an accident near Beaufort, South Carolina. The aircraft was being operated by a private pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal flight.
The flight originated from Chesapeake Regional Airport (CPK) in Chesapeake, Virginia, at 1345, with a planned destination of Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH) in Zephyrhills, Florida. After takeoff, ADS-B data indicated the aircraft climbed to 5,500 ft MSL. Roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes into the flight, the aircraft began a slow descent to 1,500 ft MSL. By 1545, the altitude was fluctuating between 1,300 and 475 ft MSL.
The pilot reported that at an altitude of approximately 1,500 ft AGL, the engine began running extremely rough. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot performed several actions, including switching fuel tanks, applying carburetor heat, adjusting the mixture, and cycling the auxiliary fuel pump. Despite these efforts, the engine performance continued to degrade. When the aircraft reached approximately 500 ft AGL, the engine lost all power, necessitating a forced landing in a coastal tributary stream. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.