REFLECTOR: I don't know this aircraft

Velocity_AZ velocity_AZ at cox.net
Mon Jun 13 23:09:09 CDT 2005


Everyone on the Reflector -

I just got back from the hangar and had inspected the plane more thoroughly.
The steel fitting that broke was an elbow fitting that was originally too
long, was cut and welded.  It was welded by a professional aircraft welder
and looks like it broke right at the weld.  The reason this fitting was
shorten was to allow more clearance - it was originally rubbing against the
firewall.

The welder feels that the fitting may have been broken during landing -
currently, I don't think so.  However, I will pressure test the fuel system
to make sure there are no other leaks.

My suggestion to others that have any welded parts in their aircraft - have
them tested (X-rayed, etc.) prior to first use.  This particular part was
fine for over 2 years and 180 hours but was obviously an accident waiting to
happen.

Regards,

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Terry Miles
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 7:31 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: I don't know this aircraft

Kev,
Good work.  I know what you mean about count your blessings.  Really glad
that you're OK Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Alex Balic
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 5:04 PM
To: velocity_AZ at cox.net; 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: I don't know this aircraft


Hey Kevin-
Glad you are OK, I am sure you did a great job on the dead stick
landing- hope you are airborne again soon    :)

Alex

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Velocity_AZ
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 12:41 PM
To: amillin at sbcglobal.net; 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: I don't know this aircraft

Andy -

It's my plane - Deception - which is a 173 (standard fuselage with XL wings
- fixed gear)

I called in for landing 20 out.  At 10 out, 3500-4000' decsending, I smelled
fuel.  Very shortly after that the engine quit.  I was extemely lucky that I
had that wash below.  I was only about 2000' AGL and decision time was
extemely limited.  I touched down at one end of the wash with plenty of room
ahead.  The ground, while pretty level, was rocky.  She stopped in about
300' feet.  The universe also granted me a direct headwind.

Wheel pants destroyed from the rough terrain - stress crack in gear - don't
know how deep (could be just be paint).  Minor fiberglass damage in lower
cowl around exhaust and upper cowl at spinner and upper gear cuffs due to
vibration on roll out.  There may be more damage to landing gear - just
haven't examined it further yet.

We should all take comfort in knowing that our Velocitys are strong.

Here's something I'd like some feedback on from those flying.  Just a few
weeks ago I was practicing engine out procedures and noticed that between
90-100kts my sink rate is 1000-1100' per minute.  Basically without the big
fan working - it's a rock.  What have others experienced?

Upon taking the plane apart for transport yesterday, I did find the problem
- the fitting between the fuel hose and the throttlebody cracked. That's why
I smelled fuel and why the engine quit.  24 Gallons on-board can't really
help if it's no longer making its way to the engine.

All in all, yesterday was a very good day - no injury, it happened close to
home, the plane is in pretty good shape, she was due for her annual next
month and she' already disassembled, and mostly - I writing this to you guys
now.

Regards,

Kevin Steiner

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Andy Millin
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 10:11 AM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: REFLECTOR: I don't know this aircraft

No injury is good.

************************************************************************
****
****
**   Report created 6/13/2005   Record 1
**
************************************************************************
****
****

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 111VX        Make/Model: EXP       Description: EXP- VELOCITY
XL
  Date: 06/12/2005     Time: 2349

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing:
N
  Damage: Minor

LOCATION
  City: PEORIA   State: AZ   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  PILOT REPORTED 20M W WITH INFORMATION. THREE MINUTES LATER PILOT REPORTED
A
  LOST ENGINE AND WOULD NOT MAKE THE ARPT. ACFT LANDED IN A WASH 12 MI WEST
  OF ARPT

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:

                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:

                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:


WEATHER: 122345Z VRB06KT/10SM CLR 34/04 2977

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Cruise      Operation: General Aviation

  Departed: UNKN                        Dep Date:    Dep. Time:      
  Destination:                          Flt Plan: UNK          Wx
Briefing:
U
  Last Radio Cont: 12M W DEER VALLEY ARPT
  Last Clearance: CLRD TO LND AY RWY

  FAA FSDO: SCOTTSDALE, AZ  (WP07)                Entry date: 06/13/2005



=========================================

Andrew Millin
Kalamazoo Software, llc
5585 Collingwood Dr.
Kalamazoo  MI  49004
(269) 345-2564
amillin at kal-soft.com

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