Accident Details
On June 27, 2023, at 1012 central daylight time, a Velocity XLRG airplane, registration N340XL, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Preceding Events
According to the pilot, he had departed from Flying Machines Airstrip (AR08) in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on June 24, 2023, and flown to Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (LAW) in Lawton, Oklahoma. Later that day, after filling both fuel tanks, he attempted to return to AR08, but the engine lost power. He landed uneventfully in a field near Chickasha, Oklahoma. A mechanic examined the airframe and engine but could not determine the cause of the power loss.
Three days later, on June 27, the pilot performed an engine run-up in the field and determined the engine was operating properly. He then departed and flew northeast toward AR08. About one hour after departure, while cruising at 10,000 ft above ground level (AGL), the engine began to misfire. The pilot descended to 9,500 ft AGL and attempted to troubleshoot by adjusting the mixture. When that did not resolve the misfire, he turned on the electric fuel pump and checked each magneto. Turning off the left magneto produced no change; turning off the right magneto caused a dramatic power drop. After turning the right magneto back on and increasing manifold pressure, power was lost completely. The pilot landed in a field, sustaining serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage, and fuselage.
Postaccident Examination
Several electronic devices were removed from the airplane for examination and retrieval of recorded flight data, but they were either damaged and could not be functionally tested or did not reveal pertinent data. A review of the airframe and engine logbooks found no discrepancies of uncorrected issues. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel cap O-rings were cracked and slightly dry-rotted. According to the airframe manufacturer, dry-rotted O-rings might have prevented even fuel flow because the fuel caps were non-venting and required a tight seal for proper fuel flow. However, the pilot reported that the sump tank low fuel light never illuminated, and there was no evidence of blue staining on top of the wings that would indicate improperly sealed fuel caps. Due to impact damage, the engine could not be functionally tested, and the fuel system could not be fully examined. The right magneto was attached but impact-damaged and could not be tested; the left magneto was rotated by hand and produced a spark on all leads. Examination of the airframe and fuel-injected engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.