# NTSB CHI97LA238: Velocity Velocity Elite RG, Langdon, ND, July 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1997, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Langdon, ND - Coordinates: 48.75962, -98.370422 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7596&lon=-98.3704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10654/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA238 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The crosswind and proximity of the taxiway sign were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the winds along the route were from 240 degrees at 20-30 knots, and '...all airports in the vicinity that had fuel, had a runway (paved) heading of 32/14.' Devils Lake, 42 nautical miles southwest of Langdon, was reporting winds from 230 at 11 knots at about the time of the accident. The pilot elected to land at Robertson Field on runway 32 to refuel. During the landing roll, the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway, striking a taxiway sign located 100 feet prior to the departure end of runway 32. According to a witness, the airplane landed long and fast, then skidded in a tight circle before coming to rest. The pilot added in his report that he 'could not hold plane on runway or stop quickly enough.' ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1997, at 1530 central daylight time (cdt), a Velocity Elite homebuilt, Canadian registration CGPNX, departed the right side of the runway during the landing roll on runway 32 (3,600' x 60') at the Robertson Airport, Langdon, North Dakota. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport, Saskatchewan, Canada, at 1215 cdt. In a written statement, the pilot said that he was about thirty minutes from his intended destination, Grand Forks, when he noticed the left fuel gauge indicating 'empty.' According to the pilot, the winds along the route were from 240 degrees at 20-30 knots, and "...all airports in the vicinity that had fuel had a runway [configuration] of 32/14." Devils Lake, 42 nautical miles southwest of Langdon, was reporting winds from 230 at 11 knots around the time of the accident. The pilot elected to land at Robertson Field on runway 32 to refuel. A witness to the accident told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that the airplane landed long and fast before skidding off the right side of the runway, striking a taxiway sign located 100 feet prior to the departure end of runway 32. The airplane then skidded in a tight circle before coming to rest. The pilot added in his report that he "could not hold plane on runway or stop quickly enough." The FAA Inspector who examined the aircraft found the right wing wrinkled with a split upper surface, resulting from the impact with the taxiway sign. The inspector also found the left main gear semi-retracted with the wheel broken off, resulting from the post-impact skid by the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: CGPNX (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Velocity VELOCITY ELITE RG (VELOCITY E) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DM-288 - Airframe hours: 32 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael J. Hillyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1997, 32 hours before - Departed: JS4, SASKATCHEWAN - Destination: GFK, GRANKD FORKS, ND - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: D55, Robertson Field, runway 32, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 631 total, 34 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DVL, 42 nm away 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.