MIA05CA053

NTSB accident investigation · Lee Harold Swarthout Velocity Xlrg · Daytona Beach, FL · January 21, 2005

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
January 21, 2005, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
Place
Daytona Beach, FL
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N121HSLee Harold Swarthout Velocity Xlrg
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 30, 2005
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
20050121000489A
Case key
60916

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a fence and a ditch.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - roll
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Object - fence
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - ditch

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 23, he applied brakes to slow but his left foot slipped off the brake while the right foot was still on the brake causing the airplane to veer right. He attempted to straighten out the plane by applying left rudder but was unable and the airplane traveled off the runway and collided with a fence and a ditch. He further stated at the time of the accident, the wind was from the south at about 5-10 knots, with wind gusts of 5-10 knots and light turbulence. No mechanical failure was reported by the pilot. The accident flight was the pilot's second flight test in the accident aircraft.

Factual narrative

On January 21, 2005, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Velocity XLRG, N121HS, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll and collided with a fence and ditch at Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal, local, flight from Spruce Creek Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 0930, from Spruce Creek Airport.

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on runway 23, he applied brakes to slow, but his left foot slipped off the brake while the right foot was still on the brake causing the airplane to veer right. He attempted to straighten out the plane by applying left rudder but was unable and the airplane traveled off the runway and collided with a fence and a ditch. He further stated at the time of the accident, the wind was from the south at about 5-10 knots, with wind gusts of 5-10 knots and light turbulence. No mechanical failure was reported by the pilot. The accident flight was the pilot's second flight test in the accident aircraft.

Aircraft

Registration
N121HS
Reported as
Lee Harold Swarthout Velocity Xlrg
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
121
Engine
Lycoming IO-540 D4A5, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Lee Harold Swarthout
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
7FL6 · Daytona Beach, FL
Destination
7FL6 · Daytona Beach, FL
Airport
7FL6 · Spruce Creek Airport, runway 23, 4,000 × 176 ft

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
72
Injuries
None
Certificates
Private, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
January 2, 2004
Seat
Left
Flight hours
3,297 total · 2 in this make and model · 1 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
180° at 10 knots, gusting 10
Visibility
30 statute miles
Temperature
64 °F
Altimeter
30.14 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.