On April 15, 2023, a HOLLAND TRAVIS E VELOCITY (registration N2357) was involved in an aviation accident near Andrews, NC. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to engage the turbocharger for takeoff and his improper decision to continue the takeoff with partial power, rather than reject the takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
An experimental amateur-built Velocity, N2357, crashed near Andrews, NC, on April 15, 2023, killing the commercial pilot. The aircraft was destroyed in a postcrash fire after descending into a wooded field during a left traffic pattern.
Accident Overview and Aircraft History On April 15, 2023, about 1039 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Velocity, N2357, was destroyed in an accident near Andrews, North Carolina. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The current owner, the fifth owner of the aircraft, reported that the airplane had been involved in a landing accident in 2004 and was subsequently purchased by a salvage facility. The facility removed the engine and avionics before selling the airframe to the previous owner, who installed a newly overhauled engine equipped with a turbocharger. The current owner later purchased the airplane and installed a new propeller and avionics. At the time of the accident, the engine had about 54 hours of operation since its 2012 overhaul. Because of the modifications, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated airworthiness representative (DAR) inspected the airplane, issued an amended airworthiness certificate with revised operating limitations, and endorsed the airframe logbook on April 1, 2023. The accident flight was the first flight since that endorsement. ## Pilot Experience and Pre-Flight Activities The current owner stated that he held a private pilot certificate with about 90 hours of flight experience, including about 10 hours in the make and model. Due to his limited experience, he hired the accident pilot to conduct the first flight after the modifications and DAR endorsement. The accident pilot inspected the airplane for about 1.5 hours before takeoff. The owner observed the airplane take off from runway 26, a 5,500-foot-long runway, but lost sight of it behind buildings. Witnesses reported that the airplane took off and climbed about 300 feet above ground level while flying a left traffic pattern back to runway 26. Near the crosswind to downwind turn, the engine sounded loud, and the airplane descended into a wooded field, where a postcrash fire occurred. ## Engine and Propeller Configuration The owner stated that the engine was equipped with a fixed-pitch cruise propeller. With the turbocharger engaged, the engine would reach 2,300 rpm; with the turbocharger bypassed, it would reach only about 2,050 rpm. A spring switch in the cockpit controlled the turbocharger wastegate, allowing selection of engaged, bypassed, or midrange settings. The owner added that at 2,050 rpm, the airplane would not be able to fly with one pilot and full fuel, which it had for the accident takeoff. The owner provided a video of part of the takeoff. Review showed that during the takeoff roll the airplane accelerated slower than normal, used more runway than normal, and lifted off in a nose-high attitude. It then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway, where the video ended. ## Wreckage and Impact Findings The wreckage came to rest inverted, oriented about a 075° magnetic heading. The left wing separated and was found against a tree inverted at the beginning of the debris path. The main wreckage was at the end of a 50-foot-long debris path and was consumed by fire. No cockpit controls or instrumentation were identified. No seats or restraints were identified. The left aileron and left rudder separated and were recovered near the left wing. The right wing and canard remained with the main wreckage and were consumed by fire. The flight controls consisted of control rods and push-pull tubes. Flight control continuity and trim continuity could not be verified due to fire damage. The engine came to rest inverted and separated from the airframe. The two-blade propeller remained attached to the hub. One blade appeared undamaged, while the other blade exhibited charring and tip separation. The top spark plugs were removed; their electrodes were intact and light gray in color, with the Nos. 1 and 3 electrodes oil soaked. Borescope examination of the cylinders did not reveal any anomalies. The crankshaft was rotated via an accessory gear drive. Crankshaft, camshaft, and valvetrain continuity were confirmed to the rear accessory section of the engine, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. Both magnetos had separated from the engine. One magneto was recovered and produced spark at all leads when rotated via electric drill. The other magneto was not located. Due to thermal damage, the fuel system could not be tested. The turbocharger wastegate was found in an open position. Further examination of the turbocharger after wreckage recovery showed thermal damage, and the turbine would not initially rotate. After WD-40 lubricant was applied to the turbine and compressor sides and the unit sat for several minutes, the turbine and its shaft rotated freely by hand; however, the compressor was melted and did not turn with the shaft. The compressor side was disassembled for further examination. No scoring was noted on the compressor housing, and all compressor wheel blades were intact. The compressor nut was found about two threads loose. Examination of the internal housing of the compressor wheel and its corresponding position on the shaft showed no rotational scoring. ## Medical and Pathological Information An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh, North Carolina. The cause of death was reported as “multiple blunt force injures.” Toxicological testing by the FAA Office of Forensic Sciences in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was negative for drugs and alcohol.