Veltman CH701 N702BW accident, Owosso, MI, Aug 6, 2006 · NTSB CHI06CA217

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadequate compensation for the tailwind condition. Factors included the tailwind and the power lines.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - aborted

Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Compensation for wind conditions - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Weather condition - tailwindFactor

Object - wire,transmissionFactor

Analysis

The amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a cornfield after an aborted landing. The pilot reported that he had finished conducting a set of flight program tests for the experimental airplane he had built. He was flying the tests over a 1,000-foot grass airstrip and when he finished the tests, he proceeded to land on the grass runway. He reported that he was high on final and when the airplane touched the ground, he realized that he did not have enough runway remaining to stop so he aborted the landing and applied power for takeoff. There were power lines at the departure end of the runway and the airplane was not going to clear them. He turned left but there was another set of power lines that the airplane was not going to clear. The pilot slipped the airplane and attempted a forced landing to a cornfield. The left wing impacted the ground and the propeller disintegrated. The pilot reported that the winds had changed since he had departed on the flight, and there was a tailwind when he attempted the landing. The airstrip did not have a windsock.

Factual narrative

The amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a cornfield after an aborted landing. The pilot reported that he had finished conducting a set of flight program tests for the experimental airplane he had built. He was flying the tests over a 1,000-foot grass airstrip and when he finished the tests, he proceeded to land on the grass runway. He reported that he was high on final and when the airplane touched the ground, he realized that he did not have enough runway remaining to stop so he aborted the landing and applied power for takeoff. There were power lines at the departure end of the runway and the airplane was not going to clear them. He turned left but another there was another set of power lines that the airplane was not going to clear. The pilot slipped the airplane and attempted a forced landing to a cornfield. The left wing impacted the ground and the propeller disintegrated. The pilot reported that the winds had changed since he had departed on the flight, and there was a tailwind when he attempted the landing. The airstrip did not have a windsock.

Aircraft

Registration: N702BW
Reported as: Veltman CH701
Category: Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number: 4442
Engine: Jabiru 2200A, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: Robert Veltman
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed: RNP · Owosso, MI
Destination: Owosso, MI

N702BWRegistration cancelled Nov 30, 2007 · Veltman Robert B CH701S/N 4442 · Built 2006 Airframe modelVeltman Robert B CH701 Engine modelAmateur-built UNKNOWN ENG

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 54
Certificate: Private
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3
Flight hours: 197 total · 7 in this make and model · 11 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20060806023079AAmtr CH701 · Owasso, MI(-23) Aircraft attempted landing on a short grass field. The landing was aborted and the pilot attempted to "go-around." On climb out, the aircraft failed to gain altitude and while attempting to avoid power lines. Aircraft forced landing into cornfield.Aug 6, 2006 · N702BW · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N702BW · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB CHI08CA008Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportOwosso, MIThe pilot inadvertantly turned the fuel selector to the off position and failed to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's change in his normal habit pattern.Oct 25, 2007 · Substantial damage