# NTSB MIA97LA078: Richards Velocity 173 RG, N525V, Valkaria, FL, February 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 1997, 12:26 local (17:26 UTC) - Place: Valkaria, FL - Coordinates: 28.029628, -80.600967 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0296&lon=-80.6010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA078 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the engine lost power while maneuvering. According to the pilot's statement, 'everything was operating normal, 2500 RPM, 155 knots...2,000 [feet] MSL.' He then turned north and 'the engine quit abruptly...no sputtering or gradual loss of RPM.' He attempted a force landing at a nearby airport 'in hopes of deadsticking [sic] it onto the runway.' The flight landed about 1/2 mile short of runway 14, and impacted into palmettos and pine trees. The airplane's engine was examined and run. The examination and engine run did not reveal any discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 1997, about 1226 eastern standard time, a homebuilt, Velocity 173 RG, N525V, registered to a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, near Valkaria, Florida. The private-rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91. While maneuvering, the pilot stated the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing back to the airport, and struck trees about 1/2 mile short of the runway. According to the pilot's statement, after departure he turned towards a practice area near Valkaria Airport. He stated that, "everything was operating normal, 2500 RPM, 155 knots...2,000 [feet] MSL." He then turned north and contacted the ATC Tower at Melbourne Airport that he was inbound for landing, when "immediately the engine quit abruptly...no sputtering or gradual loss of RPM." He turned the airplane back towards Valkaria Airport, "in hopes of deadsticking [sic] it onto the runway." The flight landed short of runway 14, and impacted into palmettos and pine trees. The engine from N525V was examined and run at a private hangar at the Melbourne Airport, under the supervision of the FAA, on February 12, 1997. The examination and engine run did not reveal any discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N525V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N525V-2000-04-18), registration cancelled 2000-04-18, S/N DMO-248 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RICHARDS VELOCITY 173 RG (VELOCITY 1) - Registry model: [Richards William A VELOCITY 173 RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/richards-william-a-velocity-173-rg) (registry code 05624YJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DMO248 - Airframe hours: 128 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William A. Richards - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1996, 64 hours before - Departed: MBL, MELBOURNE, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 956 total, 81 in this make and model, 768 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MLB ## 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 19970201001079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970201001079A), Feb 1, 1997: Amtr VELOCITY, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power in pattern. Struck trees on final short of runway. Engine ran normal in post accident test. ## Other investigations on N525V (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW96LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA273), Jun 24, 1996: Williams Velocity 173RG (N525V), Longmont, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the high density altitude, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. 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.