The future of Spectrum Aeronautical's Spectrum 33 light jet programme is in doubt following the fatal crash on 25 July of the proof-of-concept aircraft at an airport near Spanish Fork, Utah.
The test pilots Glenn Maben, Spectrum's director of flight operations, and Nathan Forrest, the company's vice-director, were both killed in the accident.
The aircraft, built by Spectrum subsidiary Rocky Mountain Composites, was the sole Spectrum 33 prototype and the cause of the crash is not yet known.
Spanish Fork police say jet fuel was spilled on the runway and photographs of the accident scene indicate that the light jet may have rolled as it departed from the runway.
The eight-seat Williams FJ33-powered aircraft was unveiled at the US National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Florida last November and made its first flight from Spanish Fork to nearby Provo airport on 7 January.
US certification was scheduled for 2008.
Source: Flight International
