Amateur-built VP1 accident near Grove City, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2014
On July 25, 2014 at about 3:08 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built VP1, registered N3831W, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Grove City, Pennsylvania (Grove City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A collision with terrain during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2014 · about 3:08 pm local time
- Place
- Grove City, Pennsylvania · Grove City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VP1, built 2010
- Registration
- N3831W · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness saw the experimental amateur-built airplane as it performed takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. After completing several circuits, she again saw the airplane on final approach to land about ¼-mile from the runway threshold. The airplane suddenly "jerked" left, away from the runway centerline, and continued that track in a shallow descent until it impacted a berm off the left side of the runway about 750 ft beyond the threshold. The witness reported that, before impact, the engine sound was smooth and continuous and did not change in pitch or intensity. The engine sound continued uninterrupted until impact. The private pilot was unable to recall any details of the accident. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the deviation from the approach path and subsequent impact with terrain could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 18, 2014; 1 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 29D Grove City PA
- Destination: 29D Grove City PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from UCP, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.