# NTSB LAX99LA060: Aegerter, Simon Velocity 173E-RG, N466MF, San Diego, CA, December 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 29, 1998, 15:47 local (23:47 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.799972, -117.129508 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8000&lon=-117.1295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45527 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45527/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate modification to the control systems, which resulted in a restricted elevator control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - undertorqued (cause) - flight control,elevator - blocked(partial) (contributing factor) - maintenance,modification - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic (cause) - elevator - restricted (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The pilot stated he had experienced insufficient pitch control on landing at Tucson, Arizona, prior to the accident. He reported that he 'found play in the elevator control,' and was advised over the telephone by Velocity Inc. to add washers or spacers to the rear of the torque tube to remove the play. With the aid of a local pilot in Tucson, he added the washers and spacers to the rear of the torque tube. The pilot further stated that upon attempting to flare at Montgomery Field, 'the nose would not come up.' The aircraft bounced, veered off the runway, skidded across a grass area, and collided tail first with a parked Cessna 340. According to the pilot, on January 2, 1999, builders from Velocity Inc. inspected the airplane, and found that 'the front bearing of the aileron torque tube had come loose, thus preventing a full elevator down deflection.' ## Factual narrative On December 29, 1998, at 1547 hours Pacific standard time, a Velocity 173E-RG, N466MF, veered off runway 28L on landing at Montgomery Field, San Diego, California, and collided with a parked Cessna 340, N6241X. The aircraft and the parked and unoccupied Cessna 340 sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight from Ryan Field in Tucson, Arizona, to Montgomery Field. This was the last leg of a cross-country flight, which originated the day before in Tampa, Florida. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he had experienced insufficient pitch control on landing at Tucson prior to the accident. He reported that he "found play in the elevator control," and was advised over the telephone by the aircraft designer, Velocity Inc., to add washers or spacers to the rear of the torque tube to remove the play. With the aid of a local pilot in Tucson, he added the washers and spacers to the rear of the torque tube. The pilot further stated that upon attempting to flare, "the nose would not come up." The aircraft bounced, veered off the runway, skidded across a grass area, and collided tail first with the parked Cessna 340. According to the pilot, "on January 2, 1999, several Velocity builders inspected the airplane and found that the front bearing of the aileron torque tube had come loose, thus preventing a full elevator down deflection." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N466MF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N466MF-2005-05-25), registration cancelled 2005-05-25, S/N DMO-326, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aegerter, Simon VELOCITY 173E-RG (VELOCITY 1) - Registry model: [Aegerter Simon VELOCITY 173E RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/aegerter-simon-velocity-173e-rg) (registry code 05604I3) (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: DMO-326 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350C1L 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Simon Aegerter - Registered owner: Sabina Aegerter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Destination: MYF - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28L, 3,399 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 75 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MYF ## 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 19981229044079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981229044079A), Dec 29, 1998: Amtr VELITY173ERG, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 29, 1998, at 1547 hours pacific standard time, a velocity 173E-RG, N466MF, veered off runway 28L on landing at Montgomery field, San Diego,… 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.