# NTSB NYC06CA118: Espinal Velocity Jet 900, N289AE, Millbrook, NY, May 24, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 24, 2006, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Millbrook, NY
- Coordinates: 41.704444, -73.736114
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7044&lon=-73.7361&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA118

## Probable cause

The pilot/owner's inadequate preflight which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to a clogged fuel vent.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, owner/builder (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot/owner/builder departed on his first solo flight in the homebuilt, jet-powered, Velocity Jet 900 airplane with no jet airplane experience or training.  After takeoff, the airplane climbed above traffic pattern altitude at "4 to 5 thousand feet-per-minute" and accelerated above 200 knots on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.  The pilot reduced power to flight idle to descend and complete the traffic pattern for landing.  The airplane was "low" on the base leg of the pattern,  the pilot advanced the throttle, the engine did not accelerate, but continued to run at the flight idle setting.  As the airplane approached the runway, "I got too slow, lost control, and crashed 100 feet short of the runway."  Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel tank vent was clogged with dirt and insect remains.  There were no other deficiencies noted.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner/builder completed a preflight inspection using the checklist he wrote for his airplane.  He departed on his first solo flight in the homebuilt, jet-powered, Velocity Jet 900 airplane.  He had no prior jet-powered airplane experience or training.  After takeoff, the airplane climbed above traffic pattern altitude at "4 to 5 thousand feet-per-minute" and accelerated above 200 knots on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern.  The pilot then reduced power to flight idle to descend and complete the traffic pattern for landing.  The airplane was "low" on the base leg of the pattern,  so the pilot advanced the throttle, but the engine did not accelerate, and continued to run at the flight idle setting.  As the airplane approached the runway, "I got too slow, lost control, and crashed 100 feet short of the runway."  Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank vent was clogged with dirt and insect remains.  There were no other deficiencies noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N289AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N289AE-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N AE125, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Espinal Velocity Jet 900
- Registry model: [Espinal Antonio D VELOCITY JET 900](https://openairdocs.org/model/espinal-antonio-d-velocity-jet-900) (registry code 056158P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AE-125
- Engines: General Electric T58-8F turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Antonio D. Espinal
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 44N, Millbrook, NY
- Destination: 44N

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 984 total, 1 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060524021869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060524021869A), May 24, 2006: Espina VELOCITYJET9, Millbrook, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) Departed runway 35, (44N) runway heading climb to 2000 ft MSL. Stopped climb. Reduced power. Descended to 1700 ft. entered traffic pattern, further…

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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