Door Located One Mile From Impact Site

Yet again, an open door seems to be a contributor in an aircraft accident. The Velocity, which features large clam shell doors on either side of the fuselage, would likely have been a tough bird to handle with an open (and eventually separated) door and may have presented controllability issues during the short tragic flight.... Repeat after me... Preflight, Preflight, PREFLIGHT!

File Photo

NTSB Identification: WPR10LA381
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, August 02, 2010 in San Diego, CA
Aircraft: Advertising MGMT & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5, registration: N444YP
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 4 Serious.

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 2, 2010, about 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Advertising MGMT & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5, N444YP, was substantially damaged following an emergency landing while maneuvering near San Diego, California. The certificated private pilot and 3 passengers sustained serious injuries, and one passenger was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The planned cross-country flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, had departed Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California, about 1230. The flight’s destination was reported to be the Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Fullerton, California.

Initial reports from local law enforcement personnel revealed that shortly after takeoff the pilot radioed air traffic control that he had a problem closing one of the airplane’s doors. A few minutes later the pilot made a second transmission to air traffic control indicating that he intended to return to the airport to land. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on a golf course about 2 miles from the departure airport, with the airplane coming to rest in an inverted position on the golf course property.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported to the IIC that an initial examination of the airplane wreckage revealed that all components necessary for flight were present at the accident site. The inspector added that one of the airplane’s doors was located in a ravine about 1 mile from the main wreckage.

The airplane was recovered to a secured location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov