# NTSB CEN23LA268: Velocity Velocity XL, N340XL, Tahlequah, OK, June 27, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 27, 2023, 10:12 local (15:12 UTC) - Place: Tahlequah, OK · Pasture land - Coordinates: 35.9154, -94.97 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9154&lon=-94.9700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Lycoming, Velocity Aircraft, FAA Will Rogers FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA268 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Shea Patrick VELOCITY XLRG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056145Z), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Shea Patrick VELOCITY XLRG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=056145Z), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that three days before the accident flight, he had a loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing into a field. The airplane was inspected by mechanics after the forced landing; however, they were unable to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. The pilot departed the field three days later. The pilot stated that one hour after departure, while cruising at 10,000 ft above ground level (AGL), the engine began to misfire. He descended to 9,500 ft AGL and tried to troubleshoot the loss of engine power and then the engine quit. During a forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The electronic devices removed from the airplane were either damaged and could not be functionally tested or did not reveal any pertinent data. A review of the airframe and engine logbooks did not reveal any discrepancies of uncorrected issues with the airframe or engine. A postaccident examination of the airframe and fuel-injected engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The examination did reveal that the fuel cap O-rings were cracked and slightly dry-rotted. According to the airframe manufacturer, the dry-rotted O-rings may have prevented even fuel flow from the fuel tanks due to the fuel caps being non-venting, thus requiring a tight seal for proper fuel flow. However, the pilot reported that the sump tank low fuel light never came on, and there was no evidence of blue staining on top of the wings that would have indicated improperly sealed fuel caps. Due to impact damage, the engine could not be functionally tested and the fuel system could not be examined in its entirety. The reason for the total power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2023, at 1012 central daylight time, a Velocity XLRG airplane, N340XL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed from the Flying Machines Airstrip (AR08) in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on June 24, 2023, and flew to the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (LAW) in Lawton, Oklahoma. Later that same day, he departed LAW with both fuel tanks full of fuel, and attempted to fly back to AR08; however, the engine sustained a loss of power, so the pilot landed the airplane uneventfully in a field near Chickasha, Oklahoma. A mechanic examined the airframe and engine and could not determine the reason for the loss of engine power. Three days later, on June 27th, the pilot performed an engine run-up in the field and determined the engine was running properly. He departed the field and flew northeast toward AR08. The pilot stated that one hour after departure, while cruising at 10,000 ft above ground level (AGL), the engine began to misfire. He descended to 9,500 ft AGL and tried to troubleshoot the issue by leaning and richening the mixture. Doing that did not resolve the misfire, so he turned on the electric fuel pump and checked each magneto. Turning off the left magneto did not make a difference with the misfire issue; however, turning off the right magneto resulted in the power dropping off dramatically. The pilot turned the right magneto back on and increased the manifold pressure, at which time, the power dropped off completely. He landed in a field and was seriously injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage, and fuselage. Several electronic devices were removed from the airplane for examination and retrieval of recorded flight data. The electronic devices removed from the airplane were either damaged and could not be functionally tested or did not reveal any pertinent data. A review of the airframe and engine logbooks did not reveal any discrepancies of uncorrected issues with the airframe or engine. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel cap O-rings were cracked and slightly dry-rotted. According to the airframe manufacturer, the dry-rotted O-rings may have prevented even fuel flow from the fuel tanks due to the fuel caps being non-venting, thus requiring a tight seal for proper fuel flow. However, the pilot reported that the sump tank low fuel light never came on, and there was no evidence of blue staining on top of the wings that would have indicated improperly sealed fuel caps. Due to impact damage, the engine could not be functionally tested, and the fuel system could not be examined in its entirety. The right magneto was attached to the engine; however, the body was impact damaged, and the right magneto could not be functionally tested. The left magneto was rotated by hand and a spark wasproduced on all leads. The postaccident examination of the airframe and fuel-injected engine revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N340XL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N340XL), registered now, S/N R3X010, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VELOCITY VELOCITY XL (RG) - Registry model: [Shea Patrick VELOCITY XLRG](https://openairdocs.org/model/shea-patrick-velocity-xlrg) (registry code 056145Z) (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: R3X010 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 528 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-EXP 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 25, 2022 - Departed: NA, Rush Springs, OK - Destination: 4M1, Berryville, AR - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 468 total, 39 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KLAW, 1 nm away - METAR: KTQH 271455Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC060 27/17 A3001 ## 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 20230627016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230627016549A), Jun 27, 2023: Shea Patrick VELOCITY XLRG, Tahlequah, OK, Destroyed. Pilot had been enroute for a little over an hour and was climbing to an altitude of 10,500 MSL to try and lower the engine temperature. The engine (during the… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192474. 10.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17196877&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB examination summary (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17241397&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Summary%20-%20N340XL-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17193013&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17197279&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20with%20MOR_redacted-Rel.pdf - Electronic devices - specialist's factual report (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 4 photos, 440 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17145184&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Electronic%20Devices%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Email correspondence - airplane manufacturer (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17193099&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20Scott%20Swing%20-%20Velocity%20Aircraft_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Correspondence with pilot (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17193264&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Party form - Lycoming (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17277955&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20-%20Lycoming-Rel.pdf - Party form - velocity (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 528 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17770781&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Form%20Velocity_Redacted-Rel.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.