# NTSB ERA13CA426: Marconi Fred I JR Velocity XL/RG, N244FM, Pahokee, FL, September 22, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2013, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Pahokee, FL - Coordinates: 26.784999, -80.693336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7850&lon=-80.6933&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FSDO/FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 88105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA426 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88105/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88105 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA426 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear were extended during the simulated forced landing attempt. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's decision to continue the aborted landing after the propeller had contacted the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05608XH), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was performing a simulated forced landing to the airport runway. As the airplane was in the landing flare, another pilot radioed that the accident airplane's landing gear was still retracted. About that time, the aft mounted propeller struck the runway and the pilot increased power in an attempt to abort the landing. The pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane and it impacted terrain to the side of the runway, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and flight instructor, and substantial damage to the airframe. Examination of the wreckage following the accident revealed that the landing gear switch was selected to the "UP" position. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was performing a simulated forced landing to the airport runway. As the airplane was in the landing flare, another pilot radioed that the accident airplane's landing gear was still retracted. About that time, the aft mounted propeller struck the runway and the pilot increased power in an attempt to abort the landing. The pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane and it impacted terrain to the side of the runway, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and flight instructor, and substantial damage to the airframe. Examination of the wreckage following the accident revealed that the landing gear switch was selected to the "UP" position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N244FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N244FM-2014-05-21), registration cancelled 2014-05-21, S/N 3RX072 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MARCONI FRED I JR VELOCITY XL/RG (3RX072) - Registry model: [Marconi Fred I JR VELOCITY XL/RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/marconi-fred-i-jr-velocity-xl-rg) (registry code 05608XH) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3RX072 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 770 - Engines: Lycoming IO 540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2013 - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Airport: PHK, Palm Beach County Glades Arpt, runway 17, 4,116 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2011; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 987.2 total, 770.9 in this make and model, 987.2 as pilot in command, 12.5 in the last 90 days, 6.8 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 78; injuries: serious; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2012; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,465 total, 550 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 32 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 20130922019329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130922019329A), Sep 22, 2013: Marconi Fred I Jr VELOCITY XL/RG, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft was flying in the pattern at phk performing practice landings. The pilot neglected to put the landing gear down resulting in the accident ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88105. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Passenger rated pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Passenger%20rated%20pilot)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photograph #1: View of landing gear switch (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20landing%20gear%20switch%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph #2: Starboard view of wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 477 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Starboard%20view%20of%20wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.