REFLECTOR: Short eyewitness account of the Titusville accident

[Jim Kanter]

A heartbreaking event. I found the following posting in the Van's Air
Force forums <http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=27399&page=3>.

I wonder if we'll ever know what actually happened:

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Hi All,

Well I was present during the entire affair, not a pretty sight. The
two who passed on were very good and personal friends. May we all
learn from this accident.

The weather was perfect a slight wind from 040 at about 2 to 3 knots,
the wind wasn't even an issue. I had arrived about 0800 and was
enjoying a breakfast at the EAA chapter. Soon the Gaggle from Spruce
Creek was in sight mostly flights of 3 or 4 aircraft. After doing
their overhead break to a downwind for 15. The first flight of 4
arrived without incident, the second filight was about 1 to 2 minutes
behind, did their overhead and proceded to land. This is where things
went horribly wrong. The Velosity decided to do a straight in for 15
and ignored the radio that a flight of 4 was landing. Upon seeing that
there was an aircraft on the runway he vered to the left and let the
aircraft take him where he didn't want to go.

Once over the grassy area between the runway and taxiway he hit the
grond, not too sure what part of the airplane contacted first. He
almost hit a V Tail parked in the grassy area but missed, again he hit
the grass past the V Tail. At that time he went full power but too
late the left wing dipped sharply and struck the RV-8 just as it was
pasing the Bravo Taxiway and the main Taxiway. The impact sheered of
the canopyand moved the RV-8 some 70 to 80 feet into the grassy area
past the Bravo Taxiway. The velosity then cartwheled some 250 feet,
still in the grass anf was already in a ball of fire.

The RV-8 at this time wasn't on fire, but burning parts of the
Velosity were near. During the impact the engine was broken loose from
the firewall and fuel was pouring into the grass. The burinig debris
iginted the fuel and the rest is history.

I truly feel that Bill and Phil were already dead from the impact, for
thru the fire I could see Phil's head laying back at a 90 degree angle
to his body.

Truly a sad day for two very good aviators and friends.

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