# NTSB MIA94LA021: Vacey MK-1, N602, Altoona, FL, November 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1993, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Altoona, FL
- Coordinates: 29.040151, -81.589515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0402&lon=-81.5895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA021

## 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

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602-1996-01-27), registration cancelled 1996-01-27, S/N 455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VACEY MK-1
- Registry model: [Vacey Charles A SR CHRISTAVIA MK-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/vacey-charles-a-sr-christavia-mk-1) (registry code 05620JY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 455
- Airframe hours: 45
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19931113042719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931113042719A), Nov 13, 1993: Amtr MK1, Altoona, FL, Substantial damage. Landed in grass field to replace engine coolent hose. Stalled avoiding wires after departure from the grass field.

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.

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