Event ATL00LA055

Factual narrative

On May 9, 2000, at 1604 eastern daylight time, a Jackson Velocity RG experimental homebuilt airplane, N34BD, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with ground during a high-speed low pass over runway 27 at Cobb County-McCollum Field in Kennesaw, Georgia. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at 1530. According to the pilot, he flew northwest of the airport for approximately 30 minutes. During his return to the airport, he contacted the airport tower and requested to perform a low high-speed pass over runway 27, which was approved. While on a right base for the runway, he descended to an altitude of 200 feet above ground level (agl). According to the pilot, he was flying at an airspeed of 185 knots, which is below the airplane's Vne (velocity not to exceed) speed of 200 knots. Shortly thereafter, the airplane began to experience an "extreme vibration" and then veered to the right. The pilot climbed to an altitude of 1,000 feet agl and he reduced the power to idle. The pilot stated that the "propeller was gone by this time" and the engine quit. While at an airspeed of 70 knots, the pilot initiated a forced landing in a field and attempted to land under utility lines. Prior to touching down, the airplane's left wing clipped a tree. The airplane collided with the ground and a chain link fence, then bounced once. The left wing struck another tree, turning the airplane 90 degrees to the left. The right wing, the right side of the fuselage and the canard struck a tree, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane traveled approximately 250 feet following its first impact with the tree. A postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector. The main wreckage was located in a residential area located approximately 2 miles north of the airport. The left wing, rear-mounted engine and right front seat were separated from the airplane and found within close proximity to the main wreckage. However, the lower engine cowling, 2 feet of one propeller blade and 6 inches of the opposite propeller blade were located approximately 1,600 feet from the approach end of runway 27. An inspection of the separated section of the lower cowling revealed that the attachment points were torn, resulting in a separation from the fasteners. According to the airplane's maintenance records, the pilot performed maintenance work on the airplane on April 4, 2000, at a tachometer time of 667.0 hours. During the repair, the pilot removed and reinstalled the cowling in order to replace 2 spark plugs. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 667.8 hours. According to an engineering representative with Velocity Aircraft, the recommended method for attaching the cowling is by fastening it with stainless steel screws with a beveled head and a one-half inch washer, with a locking nut plate underneath. An examination of the airplane revealed that this was the method by which the cowling was attached. While performing a low high-speed pass at 200 ft. agl over runway 27, the airplane experienced an extreme vibration and veered to the right. The pilot climbed to 1,000 ft. agl, reduced the power to idle, and the engine then quit. He initiated a forced landing in a field north of the airport. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with several trees and a chain link fence. The main wreckage was located 2 miles north of the airport, and the lower engine cowling of the rear mounted engine, 2 feet of one propeller blade and 6 inches of the opposite propeller blade were located 1,600 ft. from the approach end of runway 27. An inspection of the separated section of the lower cowling revealed that the attachment points were torn from their respective fasteners. According to the airplane's maintenance records, the pilot had recently performed maintenance on the airplane by removing and reinstalled the cowling. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12