What happened
During a local flight intended for experimental purposes on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a twin engine airplane experienced a significant impact during its final approach. While attempting to level off during the last segment of the flight, the aircraft struck the runway surface with excessive force.
The intensity of the landing caused the undercarriage to separate from the airframe, resulting in the plane sliding on its belly. Despite the severity of the impact, all four occupants were able to exit the wreckage without sustaining any injuries. The aircraft itself was declared a total loss due to damage sustained during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements to the crash. The primary factor was an improper level-off maneuver following the incorrect manipulation of the powerplant and its associated controls. Additionally, the incident involved an overload failure and noted that the aircraft was being operated by an FAA flight test pilot at the time of the impact.