Amateur-built Velocity Elite RG accident near Lady Lake, Florida, October 6, 2020
On October 6, 2020 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1997 amateur-built Velocity Elite RG, registered N78BM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Lady Lake, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2020 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lady Lake, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Velocity Elite RG, built 1997
- Registration
- N78BM · no longer on the register · serial DMO339
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental, amateur-built airplane was fueled prior to the cross-country flight. About 20 minutes into the flight, shortly after the airplane descended from 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl) to 3,000 ft msl, the engine lost all power. The pilot verified adequate fuel and that the mixture and throttle controls were in the correct positions; however, he was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into a field. The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a fence during the landing. Subsequent examination of the engine, fuel system, and ignition system did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The onboard engine monitor only stored data regarding the duration of and total engine time at the end of the previous flight. Given the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,716 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days; 9,092 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 25, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 467 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 26, 2020; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1R (piston); 467 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GNV Gainesville FL at 7:05 pm
- Destination: ORL Orlando FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from LEE, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 16, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Monitor Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N78BM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.