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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 30, 1996 · Leibert BD-5B · N169DS

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 30, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Leibert BD-5B
Tail Number
N169DS
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA028

The pilot reported that as he was doing touch-and-go operations, the engine overheated and lost power during the takeoff initial climb. He landed in flat desert terrain, and the landing gear collapsed as the airplane touched down in soft soil. Responding bystanders and fire personnel stated that fuel was leaking from the aircraft as they arrived. A responding FAA inspector stated that on his arrival, several hours after the accident, the coolant temperature gauge was pegged above the redline limit. The inspector reported that the cylinder interiors exhibited evidence of high heat. No determination was made regarding the cooling system.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb, due to an undetermined cooling system malfunction. A related factor was: soft terrain in the forced landing area.

Full Narrative

On October 30, 1996, at 1040 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Leibert BD-5B, N169DS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt near the Williams Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb while the pilot was performing touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. After the loss of engine power the aircraft attempted to land in flat desert terrain and the landing gear was ripped out of the airplane as it touched down in the soft soil. The aircraft then cart-wheeled coming to rest about 1 1/2 miles west of the air traffic control tower. Responding bystanders and fire personnel stated that fuel was leaking from the aircraft as they arrived. During his rescue and extrication from the aircraft, the pilot told the bystanders that the Rotax engine overheated and quit. A responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that on his arrival several hours after the accident, the coolant temperature gage was pegged above the redline limit. The inspector reported that the cylinder interiors exhibited evidence of high heat. No determination was made regarding the cooling system.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 MST
Nearest AirportWilliams Gateway (2nm)
Runway30C
Runway Length3109 ft
Runway Width46 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLeibert BD-5B
Tail NumberN169DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 55
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data