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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 20, 1994 · Dooley James M Velocity · N107JD

Valparaiso, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Valparaiso, IN
Aircraft
Dooley James M Velocity
Tail Number
N107JD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA341

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A HIGH SPEED TAXI TEST WHEN THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE PITCH TRIM SYSTEM, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN PITCH CONTROL BY USE OF THE THROTTLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 27, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACT WITH A LIGHT STANCHION SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND A HARD LANDING ON TOUCHDOWN.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's improper use of the elevator trim. A factor was the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in type of aircraft.

Full Narrative

On September 20, 1994, at 1305 eastern standard time, an amateur built Dooley Velocity, N107JD, experienced a hard landing on the approach to runway 27 (6,000' X 100' dry/asphalt), at Valparaiso, Indiana, following an inadvertent flight while the pilot was making high speed taxi tests. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight occurred in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at approximately 1300. The pilot stated that while making a high speed taxi test, the airplane became airborne inadvertently. At that point he was unable to reduce the nose up attitude of the airplane and maintained flight by using the throttle. He said that he was able to return for a landing by use of the throttle, but was unable to accurately land the airplane on the runway. The airplane struck a light stanchion short of runway 27. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane subsequent to the accident and found that the pitch trim on the airplane was activated by an electric trim control on the yoke. He found that the trim switch was activated by an on/off switch, likewise located on the yoke. The switch was in the off position. When the inspector asked the pilot what the purpose of the switch was, the pilot was unable to describe accurately the use of the switch.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 EDT
Nearest AirportPorter County (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDooley James M Velocity
Tail NumberN107JD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data