History of Flight
On March 1, 2008, at approximately 0836 eastern standard time, a Velocity XL RG, registration N244CU, and a Vans RV-8, registration N128RV, collided on the ground after landing on runway 15 at Arthur Dunn Air Park (X21) in Titusville, Florida. Both aircraft were conducting personal flights under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either airplane.
The Velocity originated from Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26) in Sebastian, Florida, about 0810, while the RV-8 departed Spruce Creek Airport (7FL6) in Daytona Beach, Florida, about 0805. Witnesses indicated that the purpose of the flights was participation in the Experimental Aircraft Association's monthly pancake breakfast.
Several witnesses reported that a flight of four RV-8s announced their intention to land in formation on runway 15. The Velocity announced a straight-in approach to runway 15 and arrived on final just behind the fourth RV-8. According to witnesses, the Velocity was too close to the fourth RV-8 to land as a separate airplane. After uneventful landings, the four RV-8s exited the runway at intersection B to the left. The lead RV-8, N128RV, had entered the intersection and was midway between the runway and the parallel taxiway when it was struck from the left side by the Velocity. The three remaining RV-8s were still on the runway at the time of the collision.
Witnesses observed the Velocity land on runway 15 following the flight of four RV-8s and run off the left side of the runway, entering a grassy area separating the runway and taxiway. The Velocity continued in the grass, and witnesses reported seeing it collide with the RV-8 while in a left turn and with full engine power. Both airplanes exploded into a fireball.
The extent of the Velocity pilot's injuries precluded interviews by the National Transportation Safety Board as of the time of the report.
Personnel Information
The pilot of the Velocity, age 63, a Swiss national, held a private pilot (Foreign Based) certificate for airplane single-engine land and glider, issued February 3, 2000, and a second-class medical certificate issued January 14, 2002, with no restrictions. He also held a Switzerland pilot certificate revalidated until June 9, 2008, and a Swiss Class II Medical Certificate valid until June 26, 2008. He reported 1,728 total civilian flight hours on his most recent medical certificate. His logbook was not recovered.
The pilot-rated passenger of the Velocity, age 80, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, a certified flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane, issued June 13, 2000, and a third-class medical certificate issued January 29, 2007, with a requirement to wear corrective lenses. He reported 1,068 total civilian flight hours. His logbook was not recovered.
The pilot of the RV-8, age 71, held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane multiengine land, commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, and certified flight instructor certificates for airplane single- and multiengine land and instrument airplane, issued February 28, 1992. He had a denied medical certificate issued February 21, 2006, and reported 20,000 total civilian flight hours. His logbook was not recovered.
The pilot-rated passenger of the RV-8, age 72, held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane multiengine land, commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and glider, and certified flight instructor certificates for airplane single-engine land and glider and instrument airplane, issued March 25, 1967. He held a second-class medical certificate issued December 6, 2007, with a limitation requiring corrective lenses and reported 28,000 total civilian flight hours. His logbook was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
The Velocity XL RG was a four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear experimental amateur-built aircraft designed by Ulrich Christen. It was certificated on September 13, 2001, and received its airworthiness certificate on December 21, 2002. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-SER 300-horsepower engine and equipped with a Constant Speed MT Propeller. The airplane logbooks were consumed in the post-impact fire.
The Vans RV-8 was a two-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear experimental amateur-built aircraft built by William E. Hess. It was certificated on October 11, 2000, and received its airworthiness certificate on October 24, 2002. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-SER 180-horsepower engine and equipped with a Hartzell propeller. The airplane logbooks were consumed in the post-impact fire.
Meteorological Information
The 0853 surface weather observation at Executive Airport (ORL) in Orlando, Florida, reported wind from 090 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 64 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.33 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
Arthur Dunn Air Park (X21) is located in Titusville, Florida. Runway 15/33 is 2,961 feet long and 70 feet wide, paved with asphalt and in good condition. Runway 15 was the active runway at the time of the accident.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the RV-8 revealed that the Velocity struck it from the left side, passing through the RV-8 before continuing to its final resting place. The RV-8 came to rest in a grassy area adjacent to intersection B on a heading of 280 degrees. The fuselage, cabin, and left wing were consumed by the post-impact fire. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls leading to the cockpit area. No evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction was found in the engine.
The Velocity came to rest inverted 330 feet beyond the RV-8 on a heading of 330 degrees. The fuselage, right wing, and cockpit were consumed by the post-impact fire. No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was found in the engine.
The Velocity's first touchdown point was approximately 550 feet from the arrival end of runway 15 near the left edge. The left main landing gear departed the runway hard surface about 733 feet from the arrival end, returned at 786 feet, then after passing taxiway D at 1,295 feet, the nose gear departed the left side of the runway at 1,385 feet. The right main gear departed the left side at 1,385 feet, and both mains remained in the grass until impact with the RV-8. Braking action was noted from the left main gear at 2,310 feet, the nose gear observed in the grass at 2,331 feet, and right main gear braking at 2,367 feet. The impact point with the RV-8 was 2,391 feet from the arrival end of runway 15.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on the pilot of the RV-8 on March 2, 2008, by the Office of the Medical Examiner, District 18, Brevard County, Rockledge, Florida, reported the cause of death as blunt force injuries of head and chest.
Forensic toxicology performed by the Federal Aviation Administration Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory detected no carbon monoxide or cyanide in the blood and no ethanol in the urine. Diphenhydramine was detected in the urine but not in the blood.