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NTSB Report
June 18, 1988 · Smith Model B AVID Flyer Model B AV · N249SJ
Atwater, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Atwater, CA
Aircraft
Smith Model B AVID Flyer Model B AV
Tail Number
N249SJ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88DVA08
DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WENT TO IDLE. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PILOT INSPECTED THE ENGINE FINDING NOTHING UNUSUAL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED ANOTHER TAKEOFF TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT MADE A LANDING PERPENDICULAR TO FRESHLY PLOWED ROWS OF SOFT DIRT. THE TAIL COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN FIRST AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WENT TO IDLE. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PILOT INSPECTED THE ENGINE FINDING NOTHING UNUSUAL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED ANOTHER TAKEOFF TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT MADE A LANDING PERPENDICULAR TO FRESHLY PLOWED ROWS OF SOFT DIRT. THE TAIL COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN FIRST AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 PDT
Nearest AirportATWATER (0nm WNW)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSmith Model B AVID Flyer Model B AV
Tail NumberN249SJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO