Amateur-built Velocity 173RG accident near St. Augustine, Florida, July 31, 2008
On July 31, 2008 at about 6:38 pm local time, a amateur-built Velocity 173RG, registered N269VE, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near St. Augustine, Florida (St Augustine airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control in flight due to undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2008 · about 6:38 pm local time
- Place
- St. Augustine, Florida · St Augustine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Velocity 173RG
- Registration
- N269VE · no longer on the register · serial DM0269
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was a demonstration for a prospective buyer. According to witnesses, after becoming airborne and reaching approximately 50 feet above ground level the airplane's engine began to surge. The airplane then entered a bank to the left and impacted a marshy area, producing a debris path approximately 100 feet long. The main wreckage came to rest with the engine partially submerged. All major structural components and flight control surfaces were accounted for at the scene; however, flight control continuity could not be confirmed because of impact damage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine identified no anomalies that would produce engine surges or a loss of control.
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 (partial) during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 170.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1F6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SGJ St Augustine FL at 6:38 pm
- Destination: SGJ St Augustine FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 7,996 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 6:38 pm from SGJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.