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December 29, 1998 · Aegerter Simon Velocity 173E-RG Velocity 1 · N466MF

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 29, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Aegerter Simon Velocity 173E-RG Velocity 1
Tail Number
N466MF
Operator
Simon Aegerter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA060

The pilot stated he had experienced insufficient pitch control on landing at Tucson, Arizona, prior to the accident. He reported that he 'found play in the elevator control,' and was advised over the telephone by Velocity Inc. to add washers or spacers to the rear of the torque tube to remove the play. With the aid of a local pilot in Tucson, he added the washers and spacers to the rear of the torque tube. The pilot further stated that upon attempting to flare at Montgomery Field, 'the nose would not come up.' The aircraft bounced, veered off the runway, skidded across a grass area, and collided tail first with a parked Cessna 340. According to the pilot, on January 2, 1999, builders from Velocity Inc. inspected the airplane, and found that 'the front bearing of the aileron torque tube had come loose, thus preventing a full elevator down deflection.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate modification to the control systems, which resulted in a restricted elevator control.

Full Narrative

On December 29, 1998, at 1547 hours Pacific standard time, a Velocity 173E-RG, N466MF, veered off runway 28L on landing at Montgomery Field, San Diego, California, and collided with a parked Cessna 340, N6241X. The aircraft and the parked and unoccupied Cessna 340 sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight from Ryan Field in Tucson, Arizona, to Montgomery Field. This was the last leg of a cross-country flight, which originated the day before in Tampa, Florida. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he had experienced insufficient pitch control on landing at Tucson prior to the accident. He reported that he "found play in the elevator control," and was advised over the telephone by the aircraft designer, Velocity Inc., to add washers or spacers to the rear of the torque tube to remove the play. With the aid of a local pilot in Tucson, he added the washers and spacers to the rear of the torque tube. The pilot further stated that upon attempting to flare, "the nose would not come up." The aircraft bounced, veered off the runway, skidded across a grass area, and collided tail first with the parked Cessna 340. According to the pilot, "on January 2, 1999, several Velocity builders inspected the airplane and found that the front bearing of the aileron torque tube had come loose, thus preventing a full elevator down deflection."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:47 PST
Nearest AirportMontgomery Field (0nm)
Runway28L
Runway Length3399 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAegerter Simon Velocity 173E-RG Velocity 1
Tail NumberN466MF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSimon Aegerter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A-350C1L · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data