Kenneth Savidge VARI VIGGEN accident near Abingdon, VA
On July 26, 1995, a Kenneth Savidge VARI VIGGEN (airplane) was involved in an accident near Abingdon, VA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 26, 1995
- Place
- Abingdon, VA
- Aircraft
- Kenneth Savidge VARI VIGGEN · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.771°N, 82.031°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04076
NTSB summary
On July 26, 1995, about 0948 eastern daylight time, a Vari Viggen, experimental, homebuilt airplane, N93VV, collided with the ground while maneuvering at a low altitude at the Virginia Highlands Airport, Abingdon, Virginia. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane took off, remained in the airport traffic pattern and had turned onto final approach. Without warning, at an altitude of approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ground, the airplane entered a roll to the right, and impacted the ground. According to the FAA, a video of this flight and accident showed the airplane from takeoff to final approach, for a planned "fly- by." The FAA Inspector viewed the video, and stated: After the aircraft turned onto final the right wing made two downward dips then the aircraft entered a nose down right roll. The aircraft continued the roll (nose down) until it impacted the ground at a very high speed...when the aircraft impacted the ground the right roll was about 235 degrees completed. The nose and left wing contacted the ground about the same time. Examination of the wreckage revealed the landing gear was in the up position. According to the FAA, flight control continuity was not established because of "extensive" impact damage. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 1,369 total flight hours, and 4.5 flight hours in this make and model airplane. The airplane had been certif
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
- Beech 200, Oct 24, 2004
- Piper PA-31-310, Nov 14, 1982
Browse: Virginia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
