FL Accident - Loss of Lives

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Go-Around Results In Collision With Aircraft On Taxiway

Two aircraft, one landing and one taxiing, collided during a monthly EAA pancake breakfast activity, Saturday morning at the Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, FL. Two persons in the taxiing aircraft, reported as an RV-8, were killed. The two occupants of the landing aircraft, a Velocity XL-RG were evac'ed to the hospital from the scene and are reported to have survived the accident with significant and life-threatening injuries.

The Velocity XL 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 to strike the RV-8. The subsequent impact reportedly killed the RV occupants immediately and an extensive fire ensued.

Eyewitness reports indicate that one wing of the Velocity (FILE photo, below) struck the RV-8, 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. Both survivors are in tough shape... with one's condition noted to be "grave" at last report.

The RV-8 (illustration shown below) was based in Daytona Beach, Florida, while the Velocity was registered to an owner in Wilmington, DE.

The 0832 accident took place during a monthly event at the popular Arthur Dunn airport. An EAA pancake breakfast takes place once a month and is well-attended when conditions allow. The weather at the time of the accident was VFR.

[BobDDuck]

You'd like to think that you wouldn't have to worry about getting hit by a landing aircraft when you are sitting on a taxiway.

[TXaviator]

right but from the sounds of it the incoming a/c was doing a go-around "due to his closure on another aircraft"...doesnt say which a/c it was, could have been the taxiway guy moving onto the runway.... could have been a combination of a poor choice of turning away from the runway, plus a guy too eager to taxi up... why someone would be going around that low kinda boggles me in the first place however...

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

You'd like to think that you wouldn't have to worry about getting hit by a landing aircraft when you are sitting on a taxiway.

[BobDDuck]

From where the wreckage is, the RV8 was nowhere near the entrance to the runway. The original theory (and this is coming from a guy who was sitting on the ramp watching this happen) is that the landing aircraft got tight on the landing plane in front of him and elected to try to land on the taxiway instead. He then saw two planes on the taxiway (the RV was first) and tried to go around but initiated the attempt too late and hit the RV8. We'll see I guess.

[TXaviator]

wow. sounds like a bozo move all around. shame it ends like that.

[madmax]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

...the landing aircraft got tight on the landing plane in front of him and elected to try to land on the taxiway instead...

I would like to know what made the pilot think he should land on a taxiway, and not just go around?

It's terrible that his poor choices led to the deaths of others.

[ElyJs]

This is really scary. Anything can happen on an airport. Read this about a month ago, kinda of a similar situation. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=26581

-Jason
www.flyboulder.com

[SmoothLanderJ]

I dont know the whole situation, but I did my flight trainig in the space coast area. I've definitely seen my share of shady and unsafe pilots that fly down there in that area. Sad to see, again.............

[SteveC]

Lots of premature speculation going on here IMO.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

From where the wreckage is, the RV8 was nowhere near the entrance to the runway. The original theory (and this is coming from a guy who was sitting on the ramp watching this happen) is that the landing aircraft got tight on the landing plane in front of him and elected to try to land on the taxiway instead. He then saw two planes on the taxiway (the RV was first) and tried to go around but initiated the attempt too late and hit the RV8. We'll see I guess.

I need to highlight that. That's all about 4th hand information. Just what I heard from a guy who knows a guy that was there. Not necessarily what happened. Like all accidents, the NTSB and the FAA will do their thing and at some point in time we will have a clearer picture of what happened.

[X-Forces]

Wow! I used to fly over to old TIX all the time when I lived in FL. I must admit, I do recall seeing my fair share of Yahoos there as well. The strip tour used to draw them in like a magnet.


Not sure if you can even get the strip tour anymore?

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I need to highlight that. That's all about 4th hand information. Just what I heard from a guy who knows a guy that was there. Not necessarily what happened. Like all accidents, the NTSB and the FAA will do their thing and at some point in time we will have a clearer picture of what happened.

Yeah, PILOT ERROR!! (As always)

[TXaviator]

probable cause was the pilots failure to avoid the ground. a factor was the other aircraft on the taxiway.


there. no need to wait.

[JA Yawd Bwoy]

that is a real sad story, people need to practice safe flying more and know there own limitations before they enter the cockpit because the are not the only ones up there.

[NickH]

Sad news. I went to the pancake breakfast there in December. It was a very popular event. Landing visibility in the Velo isn't great, and landing speed is high.

[Citationkid]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

He then saw two planes on the taxiway (the RV was first) and tried to go around but initiated the attempt too late and hit the RV8. We'll see I guess.

I know the guy who was flying second airplane on the taxiway, the one behind the RV8 that got hit. I guess it just was not his time to go. I have seen the RV-8 that was involved in the accident numerous times around Spruce Creek, but did not know the pilot. It seems Spruce Creek loses about three or four pilots a year. RIP.

Alex.

[capilot]

The loss of these gentlemen has been a tragic loss to the Daytona Beach area aviation community. They contributed so much and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.

This accident goes to show that you absolutely cannot let your guard down until you shut down. Fly safe!


Here is additional information from the Daytona Beach News-Journal: http://www.news-journalonline.com/Ne...AD03030208.htm

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Video footage of the accident.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/...lane.crash.cnn

[Maurus]

That footage should help the NTSB with this accident. Video is the best witness.

The people there didn't seem to enthusiastic in trying to help any of the pilots/passenger involved.

[FiveO]

I saw that video on CNN today. I didn't know what to say. RIP to all.