Amateur-built FLIGHT STAR II SC accident near Mulberry, Florida, July 4, 2026
On July 4, 2026 at about 3:21 pm local time, a 2002 amateur-built FLIGHT STAR II SC, registered N432JP, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mulberry, Florida (South Lakeland Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2026 · about 3:21 pm local time
- Place
- Mulberry, Florida · South Lakeland Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built FLIGHT STAR II SC, built 2002
- Registration
- N432JP · registry record · serial 4219
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 567 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 28, 2025; 56 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 am from KLAL, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLAL 041450Z 00000KT 10SM BKN027 31/25 A3007=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.