# NTSB ERA23LA148: Velocity Velocity SE, N343BD, Bahia Key, FL, March 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 11, 2023, 13:31 local (18:31 UTC) - Place: Bahia Key, FL · Florida Bay - Coordinates: 24.794444, -81.263889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7944&lon=-81.2639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: 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: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106870/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106870 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA148 ## 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: [William A ECK ECK VELOCITY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0563396), [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. - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [William A ECK ECK VELOCITY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=0563396), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [William A ECK ECK VELOCITY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=0563396), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident flight was a short, 15-minute return flight, from island to island, with about 19 gallons of fuel onboard. Since the pilot had not flown in several months, he veered north of course to practice a slow speed descent and the power settings that he would be using during his landing approach. He slowed and reduced power, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and ditched the airplane in a bay. Postaccident examination of the airplane and fuel-injected engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel, mixed with sea water, was observed in both wing tanks and the center tank. Data were extracted from an onboard engine information system; however, the unit did not contain any relevant engine performance parameters. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2023, about 1331 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Velocity SE RG, N343BD, was substantially damaged during a ditching in Florida Bay, near Bahia Key, Florida. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who owned the airplane, reported that he was en route from Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida, to his home airport, Summerland Key Cover Airport (FD51), Summerland Key, Florida, which was about a 15-minute flight. Since he had not flown in several months, he veered north of course to practice the slow speed descent and power settings that he would be using during approach to FD51. He slowed the airplane and reduced power, “when the engine suddenly, and without warning, quit.” He immediately turned on the electric fuel pump, which brought a momentary “burp” of power. The “burp” was less than 1 second and he observed a low fuel pressure warning (0 to -1). At that point he turned north and ditched the airplane in Florida Bay, near the shore of an island. The pilot stated that he had not flown the airplane in 2 to 3 months as he was performing the annual condition inspection. The inspection took longer than normal because he and his wife had taken an “RV” trip during the inspection. The pilot performed the inspection himself and did not work on the fuel system, other than moving the fuel shutoff valve to off to clean the filters; however, he stated that he moved the valve back to on as he flew uneventfully from FD51 to MTH about 3 hours before the accident. The pilot further stated that the “sump tank” center fuel tank held 2 gallons of fuel, and a red light would illuminate in the cockpit if the fuel level was low. He departed on the accident flight with 19 gallons of fuel (22 gallons of fuel from FD51 on the prior flight) and the red (low fuel) light never illuminated. The wreckage was examined by two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors during recovery and after it was transported back to FD51. They observed fuel, mixed with sea water in both wing tanks and the center tank; however, the fuel injector lines, and fuel manifold were absent of fuel. The mechanical fuel pump contained slightly more than 1 ounce of fuel. Residual fuel was also found in the electric boost pump. The mechanical fuel pump was removed and it operated normally when actuated by hand. The electric boost pump switch was in the on position and when the electric boost bump was tested with a 12-volt battery it operated normally. The top spark plugs were removed and no anomalies were noted with their electrodes. When the propeller was rotated by hand, crankshaft, camshaft, and valvetrain continuity were confirmed to the rear accessory section of the engine. Additionally, thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. The engine was equipped with an electronic ignition system that could not be tested. A Grand RapidsTechnology 6000 Engine Information System (EIS) was retained and forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC. Data were extracted from the unit; however, the EIS did not record any parameters relevant to engine performance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N343BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N343BD-2023-07-04), registration cancelled 2023-07-04, S/N SRE 045, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VELOCITY VELOCITY SE (RG) - Registry model: [William A ECK ECK VELOCITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/william-a-eck-eck-velocity) (registry code 0563396) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SRE 045 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 247.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 10, 2023, 1 hours before - Departed: MTH, Marathon, FL - Destination: FD51, Summerland Key, FL - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: serious; commercial, remote, flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review June 27, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20,000 total, 260 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 12 nm away - METAR: KMTH 111753Z AUTO 30008KT 10SM CLR 28/20 A2995 ## 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 20230311003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230311003189A), Mar 11, 2023: William A Eck ECK VELOCITY, Summerland Key, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft[privacy data omitted] departed marathon key international airport (kmth) enroute to Summerland Key (FD51) at 13:21 hrs March 11, 2023, with one pilot… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106870. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16090633&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memoranda for the record (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16105642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFRs-Rel.pdf - ADS-B plot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16089786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Map-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 812 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16105326&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16165047&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control-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.