# NTSB ATL93LA040: Shaw Velocity HXB, N8101S, Savannah, GA, December 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1992, 17:34 local (22:34 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Coordinates: 32.120433, -81.179603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1204&lon=-81.1796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA040

## Probable cause

THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE IDLER GEAR, WHICH INTERRUPTED FUEL PUMP OPERATION, AND RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AND THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disengaged (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, AT 6500 FEET, WHILE THE PILOT WAS OPERATING VFR ON TOP. AFTER DESCENDING BELOW THE CLOUDS HE OBSERVED SWAMPY TERRAIN AND THE SAVANNAH RIVER. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED IN THE RIVER AND INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT WAS RECOVERED BY A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE IDLER GEAR HAD DISENGAGED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR. THE HEAD OF THE BOLT THAT SECURED THE IDLER GEAR WAS FOUND IN THE OIL SUMP. ITS ASSOCIATED WASHER WAS NOT FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8101S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8101S), registered now, S/N DM085, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SHAW VELOCITY HXB (VELOCITY H)
- Registry model: [Shaw George Alan VELOCITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaw-george-alan-velocity) (registry code 05616GR) (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: DM085
- Airframe hours: 530
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shaw, George A.
- Registered owner: Shaw, George A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 19, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: RUQ, SALISBURY, NC
- Destination: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 5 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 19921222051079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921222051079A), Dec 22, 1992: Amtr VELOCITY, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on top ocst. Came out below. Ditched in river. Retaining bolt for idler gear fell out. Drove fuel pump.

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.