# NTSB IAD00LA014: Prudhomme Velocity RG 173, N242JP, Richmond, VA, December 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1999, 15:14 local (20:14 UTC) - Place: Richmond, VA - Coordinates: 37.400028, -77.449493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4000&lon=-77.4495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD00LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA014 ## Probable cause the improper installation of the oil supply line to the propeller governor which resulted in a loss of lubrication, overtemperature, and a loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - lubricating system,oil line - disconnected (cause) - maintenance,lubrication - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - engine assembly - overtemperature (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis The pilot reported that 2 to 3 minutes after takeoff, the cockpit filled with thick smoke that smelled of burning oil, and the engine oil temperature registered above the upper limit. The pilot turned the airplane back for the departure airport and configured the airplane for landing. No corresponding increase in thrust was realized from increased engine power and propeller rpm adjustments, so the landing gear was raised in an attempt to extend glide performance. The airport could not be reached, and the pilot performed an off-airport landing. Inspection of the airplane's engine revealed an open threaded hole on the right side of the prop governor drive adapter. Further investigation revealed a 90 degree fitting attached to a hose laying on the bottom of the cowling. Visual and tactile inspections of the governor drive adapter housing revealed that threads were still present, but were damaged. The 90 degree fitting was made of steel, and the governor drive adapter of soft aluminum. An FAA airworthiness inspector stated that with the propeller governor oil line disconnected, the oil supply would pump overboard and the pilot would lose all control of propeller rpm. ## Factual narrative On December 26, 1999, at 1514 Eastern Standard Time, a homebuilt Velocity RG 173, N242JP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a highway off-ramp after departure from the Chesterfield County Airport (FCI), Richmond, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. A second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at FCI, about 1510. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he and two colleagues were on a pleasure flight that originated at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News, Virginia. He said they flew to FCI, landed, and taxied back for an immediate takeoff. He said that aircraft systems, takeoff, and climbout were "normal". According to the pilot: "Approximately 2-3 minutes after takeoff, I noticed thick smoke in the cockpit. I recognized the smell as burning oil and checked the oil temperature. The oil temperature was out of limits at 250 degrees and higher. I immediately started a turn back to the airport and informed Richmond Approach on 128.6 that I was returning to Chesterfield Airport. The altitude was approximately 2,000 [feet]. I did not declare an emergency at the time. While in the turn for Chesterfield, I immediately reduced the throttle and the RPM control for the prop, which were set for cruise climb. "I started the descent from 2,000 [feet] and approximately 3-4 [nautical miles] from Chesterfield. The engine appeared to still be generating power. I lowered the gear when I was lined up with runway 33 and below 110 KIAS (knots indicated air speed). The gear took an abnormal amount of time to extend. I then put the prop control to full forward and started to add power to maintain 100 KIAS. As I added power, I noticed I needed to keep pushing the stick forward to maintain 100 KIAS. With full throttle and RPM, I realized that we would not make the runway and elected to raise the gear to reduce drag to extend our glide." The airplane subsequently struck the ground, skid across the ramp pavement, and collided with a guardrail. In a written statement, the pilot-rated passenger in the back seat provided a similar account of events. In addition, he stated that during the descent, whenever engine power was increased, "...there was no apparent increase in thrust." In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane 2 weeks prior to the accident and had approximately 3 hours flight experience in this make and model. He added, " I have 400 hours of flight experience in the Very EZ, so I'm very comfortable with the canard." When questioned about the gliding characteristics of the Velocity, the pilot said: "It may be as high as 20 to 1. If you feather the prop and raise the gear, you can glide a long way. With the gear down, you drop like a brick. With the prop full forward and the gear down, it's like a huge speed brake." The wreckage was moved to a hanger at FCI for examination by inspectors of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Two FAA inspectors examined the wreckage on December 29, 1999. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360 series engine. In a written statement, the airworthiness inspector described what he found using the Avco/Lycoming parts manual as a reference. He said: "Upon removing the engine cowling, I found the right rear area of the engine covered with oil. The dipstick showed approximately 2 qts. remaining in the sump (full level is 8 qts.). There was no apparent structural damage to the engine, from internal failure, and a more detailed inspection soon revealed an open threaded hole on the right side of the prop governor drive adapter (item 11). Further investigation revealed a 90 degree fitting (item 30) attached to a hose (item 19), laying on the bottom of the cowling. "A close examination of the fitting showed that its threads were in good condition, and that it was firmly attached to the flared end B-nut of the prop governor oil line (item 19). ...Visual and tactile inspections [of the governor drive adapter housing] revealed that threads were still present, but appeared to be damaged... Please note that the 90 degree fitting is made of steel, and the governor drive adapter of soft aluminum." In a telephone interview, the airworthiness inspector stated that with the propeller governor oil line disconnected, the oil supply would pump overboard and the pilot would lose all control of propeller rpm. An examination of maintenance records revealed 109 hours of engine use since a factory overhaul, and that the airplane accrued 8 hours of flight time since an annual inspection on December 12, 1999. The pilot reported he had 2,300 hours of total flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N242JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N242JP-2018-01-16), registration cancelled 2018-01-16, S/N DM0230, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Prudhomme VELOCITY RG 173 (VELOCITY R) - Registry model: [Prudhomme Jean Joseph VELOCITY RG173](https://openairdocs.org/model/prudhomme-jean-joseph-velocity-rg173) (registry code 05624LG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DMO230 - Airframe hours: 854 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Damien L. Olivieri - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1999, 7 hours before - Departed: FCI - Destination: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Airport: FCI, Chesterfield County Arpt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RIC, 11 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 19991226044249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991226044249A), Dec 26, 1999: Amtr VELCITY173RG, Richmond, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) See attached pilot statement (.4) the pilot reported that 2 to 3 minutes after takeoff, the cockpit filled with thick smoke that smelled of burning oil,… 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.