# NTSB ATL01LA029: Robert D. Wood Velocity Xlfg, N658SE, Sebastian, FL, February 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2001, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Sebastian, FL - Coordinates: 27.779169, -80.480255 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7792&lon=-80.4803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51451/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA029 ## Probable cause The manufacturer's inadequate design of the winglet/rudder assembly, and inadequate bonding techniques for metal to fiber structures, which resulted in control surface flutter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise - miscellaneous,airframe - composite material (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal - miscellaneous,airframe - delamination (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - miscellaneous - improper, kit manufacturer (cause) - acft/equip,inadequate design, kit manufacturer (contributing factor) - wing,winglet - flutter (cause) ## Analysis This was the first test flight for this experimental airplane. As the airplane climbed through 2000 feet and accelerated to approximately 135 knots, the pilot reported that the left winglet began to flutter. When left rudder was applied, the flutter condition lessen, but when right rudder was applied the flutter became more severe. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field near the departure airport. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane disclosed errors in composite construction in the left and right wings, along with errors in bonding techniques for metal to fiber structures were revealed in the design of the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On February 03, 2001, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Robert Wood, Velocity XLFG, N658SE, an experimental airplane, collided with the ground during an emergency landing near Sebastian, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The experimental airplane received substantial damage, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Sebastian, Florida, at about 1330. According to the pilot, this was the first test flight of this experimental airplane. The pilot stated that after climbing to approximately 2000 feet and accelerating to approximately 135 knots, the left winglet began to flutter. The pilot reduced power to slow down, and applied left rudder pressure. The left rudder stopped fluttering, but then the right rudder began a severe flutter. The pilot applied right rudder pressure, but obtained no response. The aircraft then began an uncommanded right turn. The pilot began a descent and attempted an emergency landing in a field near the departure airport. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed that winglets, and attached rudders, had been installed. Reportedly, winglet rudders operate independent of each other and only moves outward to create drag, which yaws the airplane. The trailing edge of the left and right rudder is designed with a slight out ward bend, thus allowing the relative wind to apply pressure in the opposite direction of the normal movement of the rudder. Such pressure forces the rudder against its stop, or maintains pressure against the rudder cable during application of rudder control input, and, therefore prevents flutter. The trailing edge of the left and right rudders installed on the accident airplane were manufactured with a slightly inward bend, which allowed the relative wind to apply pressure in the direction of the normal movement of the rudder. The examination also disclosed that the right rudder cable attachment arm was ripped out of the right rudder attach point during flight due to excessive loads imposed by flutter. The examination also revealed that the composite material construction in the left and right wings, and bonding techniques for metal to fiber structures, were not completed in accordance with normal procedures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N658SE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N658SE), registered now, S/N 3FX017, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robert D. Wood VELOCITY XLFG - Registry model: [Wood Robert D VELOCITY XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/wood-robert-d-velocity-xl) (registry code 05610XV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3FX-017 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Lycoming I-0540-D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brenden J. O'Riordan - Registered owner: Robert D. Woods - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2001, 1 hours before - Departed: X26, SEBASTIAN, FL - Destination: X26, SEBASTIAN, FL - Airport: X26, Sebastain ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 16, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,605 total, 1,023 in this make and model, 2,480 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 13 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: VRB ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010203002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010203002259A), Feb 3, 2001: Amtr VELOCITYXL, Sebastian, FL, No damage. (-23) I am larry d. enlow, an employee of the federal aviation administration, serving as an aviation safety inspector, assigned to the orlando flight… ## Other investigations on N658SE (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX04CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA008), Oct 9, 2003: Velocity XL (N658SE), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain runway alignment. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.