# NTSB MIA05CA053: Lee Harold Swarthout Velocity Xlrg, N121HS, Daytona Beach, FL, January 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 21, 2005, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.080278, -81.046669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0803&lon=-81.0467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60916/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA053 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121HS), registered now, S/N 121 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lee Harold Swarthout Velocity XLRG - Registry model: [Swarthout Harold L VELOCITY XLRG](https://openairdocs.org/model/swarthout-harold-l-velocity-xlrg) (registry code 056154L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 121 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050121000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050121000489A), Jan 21, 2005: Amtr VELOCITYXLRG, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On Friday, 21 January 2005, the pilot [privacy data omitted] was operating his experimental velocity a/l rg airplane, N121HS on his second test flight of… 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.