The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N67WR
Location: Kingsport, TN
Accident Number: ERA18TA255
Date & Time: 09/19/2018, 2010 EDT
Registration: N67WR
Aircraft: CALVIN NATE H VELOCITY STD RG E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On September 19, 2018, at 2010 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Velocity STD RG E, N67WR, was substantially damaged when it impacted an approach lighting system and terrain while landing at the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), Kingsport, Tennessee. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was privately owned and operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Columbus Airport (CSG), Columbus, Georgia, at 1817.
According to the pilot, the enroute portion of the cross-country flight was uneventful. He reported that when he was cleared for a visual approach to runway 23, the airplane was higher than usual. Subsequently, he reduced power nearly to idle, and applied the speed brake to increase the descent rate. Once on final approach, the pilot noticed that the airplane "began to be slow and was low," and while over the approach lights, he increased the throttle, but the engine "did not respond at all." The airplane continued sinking and began to stall. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted approach lights and terrain.
A witness located on the airport's ramp reported that he "heard a high revving engine noise and turned towards the approach end of the runway and saw [a] small plane strike the [approach] lights."
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site, damage to the approach lighting system began with the elevated approach lights about 900 ft from runway 23 and continued to where the airplane came to rest about 400 ft short of the runway threshold. All major flight control surfaces were located along the debris path. All three propeller blades fragmented at the propeller hub. The mixture and propeller control levers were found full forward and the throttle was found 3/4 of the way forward. The carburetor heat lever was found in the off position. The fuselage, canard, and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Examination of the engine revealed crankshaft continuity when rotating the propeller flange by hand. All cylinders remained attached to the engine and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders when rotated by hand. All spark plugs were examined, and no anomalies were noted. The oil screen was free of debris. The carburetor was examined, and no anomalies were noted. The throttle, mixture, and propeller control cables remained attached to their respective attach points, and each moved freely. There was no damage observed to the induction system.
According to the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Manager at TRI, the approach lighting system and precision approach path indicator (PAPI) were on at the time of the accident. A functional test of the PAPI was conducted the following morning after the accident, and no malfunctions were noted.
According to FAA airman records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. He was issued a third-class medical certificate in October 2017. He reported a total of 451 flight hours, 61 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model.
According to FAA airworthiness records, the canard design airplane was powered by a Franklin 6A-350-C1R, 205-horsepower engine. It was equipped with retractable landing gear in the tricycle configuration and had 4-seats. The most recent annual inspection was completed in July 2018.
The weather conditions reported at 1953 at TRI, included calm wind, few clouds at 4,500 ft, visibility 10 miles, temperature 24°C, and dew point 20°C.
Review of a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart for the given temperature and dew point revealed that the conditions were conducive to serious icing at glide power. The pilot reported that he did not use carburetor heat during the low power descent because "it was not cold." He reported that he did not use carburetor heat in this airplane but was taught to use carburetor heat in a different airplane he had flown in the past as a student pilot.
According to the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, carburetor ice occurs due to the effect of fuel vaporization and the decrease in air pressure in the venturi, which causes a sharp temperature drop in the carburetor. If water vapor in the air condenses when the carburetor temperature is at or below freezing, ice may form on internal surfaces of the carburetor, including the throttle valve.
The reduced air pressure, as well as the vaporization of fuel, contributes to the temperature decrease in the carburetor. Ice generally forms in the vicinity of the throttle valve and in the venturi throat. This restricts the flow of the fuel-air mixture and reduces power. If enough ice builds up, the engine may cease to operate. Carburetor ice is most likely to occur when temperatures are below 70°F (21°C) and the relative humidity is above 80 percent. Due to the sudden cooling that takes place in the carburetor, icing can occur even in outside air temperatures as high as 100°F (38 °C) and humidity as low as 50 percent.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/23/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/11/2017
Flight Time: 451 hours (Total, all aircraft), 61 hours (Total, this make and model), 392 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CALVIN NATE H
Registration: N67WR
Model/Series: VELOCITY STD RG E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 422109601
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/05/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 181.6 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Franklin
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: 6A-350-C1R
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 205 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTRI, 1497 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1953 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 165°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4500 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 20°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Columbus, GA (CSG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Kingsport, TN (TRI)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1817 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Tri-Cities (TRI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1518 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 23
IFR Approach: Visual
Runway Length/Width: 8000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 36.482222, -82.399722 (est)
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Location: Sebastian, FL
Accident Number: ERA12CA010
Date & Time: 10/06/2011, 0915 EDT
Registration: N67WR
Aircraft: CALVIN NATE H CALVIN-VELOCITY
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings, and, as the airplane turned onto final approach, the wind caused the wings to rock. The airplane became too low on the approach, and the pilot added full power; however, the airplane impacted trees just prior to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper approach path, which resulted in a runway undershoot and collision with terrain prior to the runway.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Delayed action - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing
Landing area undershoot (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Seatbelt, Shoulder harness
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/28/2010
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/12/2011
Flight Time: 95 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5 hours (Total, this make and model), 50 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CALVIN NATE H
Registration: N67WR
Model/Series: CALVIN-VELOCITY
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 422109601
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/03/2011, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: FRANKLIN
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 6A-350-C1R
Registered Owner: Robert Malloy
Rated Power: 205 hp
Operator: Robert Malloy
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: VRB, 24 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0853 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 160°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3700 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 9000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 60°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sebastian, FL (X26)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sebastian, FL (X26)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0910 EDT
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 21 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 04
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4024 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.813056, -80.495556 (est)
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