PTZJA

On July 29, 1998, at 1945 Pacific daylight time, an Embraer EMB-135, PTZJA, registered to and operated by Embraer, as a 14 CFR Part 91 test flight, dragged a wing tip on the runway and damaged runway signs during a minimum unstick speed flight test at the Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane received minor damage and the two airline transport pilots and flight engineer, were not injured.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that shortly after liftoff from runway 32 right during a minimum unstick speed flight test, a "maximum angle of attack overshoot occurred." The pilot stated that during the recovery process, the aircraft touched down and veered to the left. The pilot corrected with a right bank. During the banking turn, the right wingtip and aileron dragged on the runway surface and the left main landing gear struck two runway edge lighting signs near the midfield intersection. The aircraft became airborne again at a lower angle of attack and continued to climb. The pilot stated that the aircraft was then landed on the opposite runway without further incident.

During the recovery maneuver, an emergency vehicle that was positioned near the runway and supporting the flight test, took evasive action to avoid a collision when the aircraft came within 50 feet of its position.