Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate flight test methods by the manufacturer and the FAA which did not permit safe operating clearances.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight was engaged in a test flight that involved an intentional induced autopilot malfunction at 80 feet above the runway surface. The crew is required to delay recovery for 2.0 seconds and then recover from the malfunction. The aircraft made a hard landing during the attempted recovery resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The malfunction input was made by an avionics engineer in the aft cabin who did not have a readout of radar altitude. The company and the federal aviation administration have modified their flight test guidance for low altitude intentional malfunctions since this accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
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