MIA94LA021

NTSB accident investigation · Vacey MK-1 · Altoona, FL · November 13, 1993

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 13, 1993, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
Place
Altoona, FL
Injuries
1 serious, 1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N602Vacey MK-1
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 13, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19931113042719A
Case key
37457

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 pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (VS) on initial takeoff climb while maneuvering to avoid power lines, resulting in an in-flight loss of control (stall) and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

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 - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Airspeed(vs) - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall - inadvertentPilot in command
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The private pilot made a takeoff to the east uphill into the wind. Upon reaching about 10 to 15 feet AGL, the pilot observed power lines to his front and initiated a left turn. The pilot stated the airspeed decreased, the airplane stalled, the nose pitched down, and the airplane collided with the ground.

Factual narrative

On November 13, 1993, at about 1315 eastern standard time, a Vacey MK-1, N602, experimental homebuilt airplane, registered to Charles A. Vacey Sr., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while maneuvering on initial takeoff climb. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot sustained a minor injury, and the passenger sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a grass field about 1 minute before the accident.

The pilot stated in an interview with the NTSB investigator- in-charge that he had made a forced landing into the grass field earlier in the day due to high water temperature. Examination of the airplane on the ground revealed a water hose had come off in flight. The hose was repaired and the pilot made a takeoff to the east uphill into the wind. The airplane became airborne reaching about 10 to 15 feet agl, when the pilot observed power lines to his front. The pilot further stated, "I made a left turn, the airspeed decreased, the airplane stalled, the nose pitched down, and the airplane collided with the ground."

Aircraft

Registration
N602
Reported as
Vacey MK-1
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
455
Airframe hours
45
Engine
Subaru EA82, 94 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Vacey, Charles A. Sr.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Destination
X-17 · Plant City, FL

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
63
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Center
Flight hours
675 total · 45 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
120° at 12 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
6,500 ft broken
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
SFB, 20 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.