ERA26LA258

On July 4, 2026, about 1121 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Flight Star II SC airplane, N432JP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mulberry, Florida. The private pilot and a passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he fueled the airplane, performed a preflight inspection, and completed a safety briefing with the passenger. He started the engine and taxied to the runway where he completed an engine runup and a flight control systems check, noting that all instrument indications were normal. He communicated his intentions to take off on runway 14 and began his takeoff roll. The pilot rotated the airplane at 60 mph and established a positive rate of climb. Suddenly, the airplane started to descend. He described the feeling like being on an elevator. The pilot stated that he had felt this before at a neighboring airport during landing. Powerlines obstructed the direction of flight, and unable to climb above the obstruction, the pilot turned the airplane to the right attempting to fly between the poles. The right wing contacted a wire, before the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest on a roadway on its side and incurred substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A witness, who was also a pilot, observed the takeoff. He stated that the airplane appeared to maintain a reduced rate of climb relative to its observed pitch attitude. As the airplane passed abeam his position, it began to descend. Throughout the observed sequence, he did not perceive any changes in engine sound. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.