# NTSB ATL02LA134: Fay Velocity Elite, N2214W, Theodore, AL, June 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2002, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Theodore, AL - Coordinates: 30.522222, -88.149719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5222&lon=-88.1497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Birmingham FSDO -09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA134 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate inflight planning for required fuel resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was focused on navigating and avoiding bad weather and did not pay enough attention to the fuel level. He said fuel burn was higher than planned, groundspeed was slower than planned, and the low fuel light came on, indicating four gallons remaining. The pilot located a field for landing but elected to continue to an airport, because the field did not appear large enough to allow for takeoff after fueling. While en route to the airport, the engine lost power, and the pilot landed the airplane in a peanut field and collided with bushes. The wreckage was found in the bushes on the west edge of a peanut field about 6 miles east of the airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was separated from the airframe and the nose sustained damage. No fuel was recovered from the fuel system, nor did the pilot report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2002, at 1245 central daylight time, a David Fay Velocity Elite experimental airplane, N2214W, registered to and operated by the pilot, collided with the ground during a forced landing in a field in Theodore, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Sebastian, Florida, at 0900. The pilot was en route to Houston, Texas, with an intended fuel stop in Hammond, Louisiana. The pilot stated that, during the flight, he was focused on navigating and avoiding adverse weather, and he did not pay enough attention to the fuel level. He stated fuel burn was higher than planned, groundspeed was slower than planned, and the low fuel light came on over Mobile, Alabama, indicating four gallons remaining. The pilot located a field for landing but elected to continue to St. Elmo Airport in St. Elmo, Alabama, because the field did not appear large enough to allow for takeoff after fueling. While en route to St. Elmo, the airplane's engine lost power, and the pilot landed it in a peanut field and collided with bushes. The wreckage was found in the bushes on the west edge of a peanut field about 6 miles east of St. Elmo Airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was separated from the airframe and the nose sustained damage. No fuel was observed in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2214W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2214W), registered now, S/N V420 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fay Velocity Elite - Registry model: [Fay David VELOCITY ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/fay-david-velocity-elite) (registry code 056109G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V420 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: Lycoming IO 360 C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Anthony Fay - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2001, 45 hours before - Departed: X26, Sebastian, FL - Destination: HDC, Hammond, LA - Airport: 2R5, St. Elmo, Alabama ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 15 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MOB, 11 nm away ## 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 20020627014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020627014789A), Jun 27, 2002: Amtr VELOCITY, Theodore, AL, No damage. (.19) On June 27, 2002, at 1245 central daylight time, a david fay Velocity elite experimental airplane, N2214W, registered to and operated by the pilot,… ## Other investigations on N2214W (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 WPR23LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA132), Mar 17, 2023: Fay David Velocity Elite (N2214W), Bullhead City, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper landing during crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55067. 428 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Recorded Phone Conversation - FAA Inspector Hardy (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Recorded%20Phone%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Hardy-Master.PDF - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF 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.