Velocity XLRG-5, N551ZL, registered to Envirotech Corp: Accident occurred February 16, 2018 at Mallards Landing Airport (GA04), Locust Grove, Henry County, Georgia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N551ZL

Location: Locust Grove, GA
Accident Number: GAA18CA148
Date & Time: 02/16/2018, 1835 EST
Registration: N551ZL
Aircraft: HARRIS PIERCE VELOCITY XL RG
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, his first approach to land in the airplane was a little fast and high, so he raised the gear and applied full power for the go-around. On the second approach he was talking with a person on the ground over the radio. Subsequently, he got distracted and landed with the landing gear in the up and locked position.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge that, the gear up warning switch had been disabled. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear due to his distraction by talking on the radio, which resulted in a gear-up landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Gear extension and retract sys - Not used/operated (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Attention - Pilot (Cause)
Forgotten action/omission - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Landing gear not configured (Defining event)

Abnormal runway contact

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/28/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 625 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12 hours (Total, this make and model), 550 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 16 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: HARRIS PIERCE
Registration: N551ZL
Model/Series: VELOCITY XL RG NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 3RX025
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/09/2018, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  340 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540
Registered Owner: Envirotech Corp
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: K6A2, 959 ft msl
Observation Time: 2335 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 213°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 16°C
Lowest Ceiling:  Overcast / 2500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots, 290°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:  No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: SEBASTIAN, FL (X26)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Locust Grove, GA (GA04)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 1500 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: MALLARDS LANDING (GA04)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 837 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4500 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Go Around; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  33.364722, -84.167778 (est)