N242JP

On December 26, 1999, at 1514 Eastern Standard Time, a homebuilt Velocity RG 173, N242JP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a highway off-ramp after departure from the Chesterfield County Airport (FCI), Richmond, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. A second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at FCI, about 1510. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he and two colleagues were on a pleasure flight that originated at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News, Virginia. He said they flew to FCI, landed, and taxied back for an immediate takeoff. He said that aircraft systems, takeoff, and climbout were "normal". According to the pilot:

"Approximately 2-3 minutes after takeoff, I noticed thick smoke in the cockpit. I recognized the smell as burning oil and checked the oil temperature. The oil temperature was out of limits at 250 degrees and higher. I immediately started a turn back to the airport and informed Richmond Approach on 128.6 that I was returning to Chesterfield Airport. The altitude was approximately 2,000 [feet]. I did not declare an emergency at the time. While in the turn for Chesterfield, I immediately reduced the throttle and the RPM control for the prop, which were set for cruise climb.

"I started the descent from 2,000 [feet] and approximately 3-4 [nautical miles] from Chesterfield. The engine appeared to still be generating power. I lowered the gear when I was lined up with runway 33 and below 110 KIAS (knots indicated air speed). The gear took an abnormal amount of time to extend. I then put the prop control to full forward and started to add power to maintain 100 KIAS. As I added power, I noticed I needed to keep pushing the stick forward to maintain 100 KIAS. With full throttle and RPM, I realized that we would not make the runway and elected to raise the gear to reduce drag to extend our glide."

The airplane subsequently struck the ground, skid across the ramp pavement, and collided with a guardrail.

In a written statement, the pilot-rated passenger in the back seat provided a similar account of events. In addition, he stated that during the descent, whenever engine power was increased, "...there was no apparent increase in thrust."

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane 2 weeks prior to the accident and had approximately 3 hours flight experience in this make and model. He added, " I have 400 hours of flight experience in the Very EZ, so I'm very comfortable with the canard."

When questioned about the gliding characteristics of the Velocity, the pilot said:

"It may be as high as 20 to 1. If you feather the prop and raise the gear, you can glide a long way. With the gear down, you drop like a brick. With the prop full forward and the gear down, it's like a huge speed brake."

The wreckage was moved to a hanger at FCI for examination by inspectors of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Two FAA inspectors examined the wreckage on December 29, 1999. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360 series engine. In a written statement, the airworthiness inspector described what he found using the Avco/Lycoming parts manual as a reference. He said:

"Upon removing the engine cowling, I found the right rear area of the engine covered with oil. The dipstick showed approximately 2 qts. remaining in the sump (full level is 8 qts.). There was no apparent structural damage to the engine, from internal failure, and a more detailed inspection soon revealed an open threaded hole on the right side of the prop governor drive adapter (item 11). Further investigation revealed a 90 degree fitting (item 30) attached to a hose (item 19), laying on the bottom of the cowling.

"A close examination of the fitting showed that its threads were in good condition, and that it was firmly attached to the flared end B-nut of the prop governor oil line (item 19). ...Visual and tactile inspections [of the governor drive adapter housing] revealed that threads were still present, but appeared to be damaged... Please note that the 90 degree fitting is made of steel, and the governor drive adapter of soft aluminum."

In a telephone interview, the airworthiness inspector stated that with the propeller governor oil line disconnected, the oil supply would pump overboard and the pilot would lose all control of propeller rpm.

An examination of maintenance records revealed 109 hours of engine use since a factory overhaul, and that the airplane accrued 8 hours of flight time since an annual inspection on December 12, 1999.

The pilot reported he had 2,300 hours of total flight experience.