Accident Overview
A test flight conducted in the early afternoon from Oklahoma-Wiley Post Airport ended in a crash after the rudder detached in flight. The aircraft, equipped with a new tail design, was cruising at 243 knots near the airport when the rudder and rudder tab control system separated. The subsequent uncontrolled descent led to the airplane impacting a field in Bethany, adjacent to the airport.
Crew and Damage
All three crew members on board sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was an uncontrolled descent resulting from the in-flight failure and separation of the rudder and rudder tab control system. Investigators reported that the empennage separated after encountering sustained flutter at 243 knots. Findings included the presence of a new design rudder and a non-production tab.