Robert D Wood VELOCITY XLFG N658SE

Summary

On 3 February 2001 at about 19:00 local time, a Robert D Wood VELOCITY XLFG registered N658SE, operated by Brenden J. O'riordan, was involved in an accident near Sebastian, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 February 2001 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sebastian, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Sebastain (X26)

Coordinates

27.7792, -80.4803

Aircraft

Robert D Wood VELOCITY XLFG

Registration

N658SE

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Brenden J. O'riordan

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sebastian → Sebastian

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL01LA029

1 person had minor injuries.

The manufacturer's inadequate design of the winglet/rudder assembly, and inadequate bonding techniques for metal to fiber structures, which resulted in control surface flutter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

This was the first test flight for this experimental airplane. As the airplane climbed through 2000 feet and accelerated to approximately 135 knots, the pilot reported that the left winglet began to flutter. When left rudder was applied, the flutter condition lessen, but when right rudder was applied the flutter became more severe. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field near the departure airport. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane disclosed errors in composite construction in the left and right wings, along with errors in bonding techniques for metal to fiber structures were revealed in the design of the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.