# NTSB CHI94LA341: Dooley, James M Velocity, N107JD, Valparaiso, IN, September 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1994, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.470542, -87.04969 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4705&lon=-87.0497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA341 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA341 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's improper use of the elevator trim. A factor was the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in type of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - approach light/navaid - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A HIGH SPEED TAXI TEST WHEN THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE PITCH TRIM SYSTEM, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN PITCH CONTROL BY USE OF THE THROTTLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 27, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACT WITH A LIGHT STANCHION SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND A HARD LANDING ON TOUCHDOWN. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1994, at 1305 eastern standard time, an amateur built Dooley Velocity, N107JD, experienced a hard landing on the approach to runway 27 (6,000' X 100' dry/asphalt), at Valparaiso, Indiana, following an inadvertent flight while the pilot was making high speed taxi tests. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight occurred in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at approximately 1300. The pilot stated that while making a high speed taxi test, the airplane became airborne inadvertently. At that point he was unable to reduce the nose up attitude of the airplane and maintained flight by using the throttle. He said that he was able to return for a landing by use of the throttle, but was unable to accurately land the airplane on the runway. The airplane struck a light stanchion short of runway 27. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane subsequent to the accident and found that the pitch trim on the airplane was activated by an electric trim control on the yoke. He found that the trim switch was activated by an on/off switch, likewise located on the yoke. The switch was in the off position. When the inspector asked the pilot what the purpose of the switch was, the pilot was unable to describe accurately the use of the switch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N107JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N107JD), registered now, S/N DM062, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DOOLEY, JAMES M VELOCITY - Registry model: [Dooley James H VELOCITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/dooley-james-h-velocity) (registry code 0561865) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DM062 - Airframe hours: 62 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Buttonwood Group Research, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1993, 15 hours before - Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 27, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 830 total, 10 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19940920008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940920008009A), Sep 20, 1994: Amtr VELOCITY, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Became airborne on taxi test. Unable to reduce nose up attitude used power to land. Not aware of electric trim. 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.