Amateur-built Skybolt accident near Smithfield, North Carolina, April 2, 2001
On April 2, 2001 at about 9:40 pm local time, a amateur-built Skybolt, registered N58JM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Smithfield, North Carolina (Johnston County airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during climb out that resulted in the in-flight collision with the ground. A factor was the physical impairment.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2001 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Smithfield, North Carolina · Johnston County · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Skybolt
- Registration
- N58JM · registry record · serial MISTROT-01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
This was the first flight of the experimental airplane. The takeoff roll and initial climb appeared normal. As the airplane continued the climb through 200 feet, it was observed entering a left turn until the airplane developed a nose low attitude. The airplane collided with trees on the right side of the runway. Examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot had a prosthetic leg.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 25,000 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 0 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 28, 2001; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540/C4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JNX Smithfield NC at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.