First Time Plane Flew With Forced Induction Device Engaged

Editor's Note: Below is the unedited text of the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on last week's fatal crash of a Velocity 173RG in North Las Vegas, NV.

Of note is the fact the accident flight was to be the first with the engine's supercharger engaged. According to the owner/builder of the aircraft, several high-speed taxi tests had been conducted with the supercharger engaged in the days prior to the accident.

As ANN reported, the plane crashed into a home last Friday, just after takeoff from the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT). The accident claimed the lives of pilot Mack Creekmore Murphree Jr., 76, and two people living inside the home, identified as Jack and Lucy Costa.

NTSB Identification: LAX08LA274
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 22, 2008 in North Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft: Killgore M/Killgore K Velocity 173RG, registration: N415MK
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 22, 2008, at 0628 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Killgore M/Killgore K Velocity 173RG, N415MK, collided with a residential building in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The airplane is registered to the owner/builder and it was being operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and two people on the ground were killed. Post impact fire destroyed the airplane and partially burned the residence. The local flight departed North Las Vegas Airport at 0627. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

Preliminary information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the airplane departed North Las Vegas from runway 12 left. Shortly after takeoff the air traffic controller observed that the airplane was not gaining altitude. The controller asked the pilot if he needed assistance, to which the pilot responded, "I'm going down, I'm going down." The airplane then collided with a house 1.1 miles southeast of the airport.

The owner/builder was interviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge after the accident. He reported that the engine was equipped with a supercharger, and that the purpose of the flight was to test the performance of the airplane and engine with the supercharger engaged. He further reported that the supercharger was tested on multiple occasions during high speed taxi tests and ground runs the week prior to the accident, but that this was to be the first time it would be engaged for flight.

The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He additionally held a flight engineer certificate, mechanic certificate, and a flight instructor certificate for airplane single engine, multiengine, and instrument airplane. On his latest FAA third-class medical application, dated September 7, 2006, the pilot stated that he had amassed 6,250 hours of total flight time.

The canard configuration, four-seat, low-wing, retractable gear airplane, was issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate on March 9, 2008. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-C1C, engine and equipped with a three bladed MT-Propeller, model MTV-18-B.

The Experimental Amateur-Built Airplane Operating Limitations for the accident airplane specified the following compliance under the section: Phase 1 Limitations-Initial Flight Testing,

'After a minimum time of (5) hours, and after controllability, airworthiness, and safety checks required by FAR 90.319(b) and chapter 4 of Advisory Circular 90.89A are established and recorded in the airplane logbook the airplane then may complete the remaining hours required in Phase 1 while based at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT); OR, a one time flight to the "Airplane Base of Operations" may also be conducted remaining clear of all densely populated areas and congested airways. NOTE: Airplane Base of Operations: Show Low Regional Airport (KSOW). This airplane must be operated for at least 25 (Twenty Five) hours in the assigned geographic areas'

Review of the airplane maintenance logbook records revealed that on March 17, 2008, the airplane had amassed a total flight time of 5.1 hours. A logbook entry for that date noted, 'This airplane meets all the controllability, airworthiness, and safety checks required by FAR 91.319(b) and chapter 4 of advisory circular 90-89A.'

FMI: www.ntsb.gov