One of Four Pilots Remains Alive

There is little good to report in the aftermath of a tragic ground collision that took the lives of three pilots attending a monthly EAA Pancake breakfast, but for the fact that a fourth person (the pilot of the Velocity XL RG), remains alive a week after the accident occurred. Ulrich Christen, 63, is the only survivor of the accident that took place at Dunn Airpark in Titusville, FL. He continues to be treated for injuries at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Killed on Saturday, March 1st, aboard a taxiiing RV-8 were two men, ID'd as Bill Hess and Phil Schacht. Both were pilots who lived at the nearby Spruce Creek Fly-In. The third fatality, who initially survived the impact between the two aircraft, was ID'd as Donald Key, the passenger in the Velocity and a pilot, as well. Key died Sunday, March 2nd.

The accident took place early Saturday, as two aircraft, one landing and one taxiing, collided during the monthly EAA Chapter 866 pancake breakfast activity, at Arthur Dunn Airpark. The two pilots in the taxiing RV-8, were apparently killed on impact. The two pilots aboard the landing aircraft, a Velocity XL-RG, were evac'ed to the hospital from the scene with the pilot reported to be conscious, and able to ask for help for his passenger, at the scene.

The Velocity XL (FILE photo, below) was reportedly involved in a go-around from Rwy 15-33 due to his closure on another aircraft when he drifted off the runway far enough, laterally, to strike the RV-8 (where the canard configuration may have contributed to visibility issues in the ensuing go-around decision process). An extensive fire ensued.

Eyewitness reports indicate that one wing of the Velocity struck the RV-8 (illustrated below), nearly severing the aircraft in the process. The Velocity then impacted, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted. One person was ejected from the wreckage while pilots at the event dragged the other from the scene, with the aircraft fully involved in the post-impact fire.

NTSB Preliminary Report
NTSB Identification: MIA08FA070A
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 01, 2008 in Titusville, FL
Aircraft: Velocity Aircraft Velocity XL RG, registration: N244CU
Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 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 March 1, 2008, about 0836 eastern standard time, a Velocity XL RG, N244CU, and a Vans RV-8, N128RV, registered to private owners, operating as 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights, collided on the ground following landing on runway 15 at the Arthur Dunn Air Park, Titusville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either airplane. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot received serious injuries and the pilot rated passenger received fatal injuries in N244CU. The Airline Transport Pilot and private rated passenger in N128RV received fatal injuries. The Velocity flight originated from Sebastian Municipal Airport in Sebastian, Florida on March 1, 2008, about 0810. The RV-8 originated from Spruce Creek Airport, in Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 1, 2008, about 0805.

According to witnesses, the purpose of the arriving flights was for the participation in the Experiment Aircraft Association's (EAA) monthly pancake breakfast. There were several witnesses that had arrived at the airport in airplanes just prior to the accident. The witnesses stated that a flight of 4 RV-8's landed in formation. Following uneventful landings the 4 RV-8's were exiting the runway at intersection B. The lead RV-8, N128RV had entered the intersection and was midway between runway 15 and the parallel taxiway when it was struck from the left side by the Velocity.

Witnesses stated that the Velocity had landed on runway 15 following the flight of 4 RV-8's and departed the runway on the left side entering a grassy area separating the runway and taxiway. The Velocity continued in the grass and witnesses stated that they observed the Velocity collide with the RV-8 in a left bank and with full engine power. Both airplane's exploded into a fire ball.

On scene examination of the RV-8 found it in a grassy area adjacent to intersection B. The wreckage was on a heading of 280-degrees. The fuselage, cabin and upper left wing were consumed by the post impact fire.

On scene examination of the Velocity found it inverted 330 feet beyond the RV-8 coming to rest on a heading of 330-degrees. The fuselage, right wing and cockpit were consumed by the post impact fire.

FMI: www.flairport.com