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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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July 26, 1995 · Kenneth Savidge VARI Viggen VARI Vigge · N93VV

Abingdon, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Abingdon, VA
Aircraft
Kenneth Savidge VARI Viggen VARI Vigge
Tail Number
N93VV
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC95LA176

The airplane took off, remained in the airport traffic pattern and had turned onto final approach. Without warning, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane's right wing made two downward dips. The airplane then entered a nose down, right roll which continued until the airplane impacted the ground in an inverted attitude. Flight control continuity was not established because of extensive impact damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,369 total flight hours, and had accured 4.5 hours in this aircraft since it was certificated 10 months before the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 1995, about 0948 eastern daylight time, a Vari Viggen, experimental, homebuilt airplane, N93VV, collided with the ground while maneuvering at a low altitude at the Virginia Highlands Airport, Abingdon, Virginia. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane took off, remained in the airport traffic pattern and had turned onto final approach. Without warning, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane entered a roll to the right, and impacted the ground. According to the FAA, a video of this flight and accident showed the airplane from takeoff to final approach, for a planned "fly- by." The FAA Inspector viewed the video, and stated: After the aircraft turned onto final the right wing made two downward dips then the aircraft entered a nose down right roll. The aircraft continued the roll (nose down) until it impacted the ground at a very high speed...when the aircraft impacted the ground the right roll was about 235 degrees completed. The nose and left wing contacted the ground about the same time. Examination of the wreckage revealed the landing gear was in the up position. According to the FAA, flight control continuity was not established because of "extensive" impact damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,369 total flight hours, and 4.5 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The airplane had been certified on September 21, 1994, and the pilot had logged 4.5 flight hours in the airplane from the date of certification to the accident. The reported local weather was; 1,700 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 79 degrees F, dew point 65 degrees F, wind 200 degrees, 4 knots, altimeter 30.09 inches Hg. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot, on July 27, 1995, at the Medical Examiner's Office, in Roanoke, Virginia, by Dr. David Oxley. Toxicological tests were conducted at the Division of Forensic Science, Commonwealth of Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, and revealed, "no drugs or alcohol ."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:48 EDT
Nearest AirportVirginia Highlands (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length4470 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKenneth Savidge VARI Viggen VARI Vigge
Tail NumberN93VV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-TC · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data