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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 22, 2001 · Thomson Avid Flyer · N47065

Chugiak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chugiak, AK
Aircraft
Thomson Avid Flyer
Tail Number
N47065
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA118

The pilot reported the experimental amateur built airplane he was flying had a loss of engine power while climbing in the traffic pattern after takeoff. He said he had insufficient altitude to return to the airstrip, and had to land near a railroad track. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a ditch and received substantial damage. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that the loss of engine power was due to a broken spark plug in one of the engine's two cylinders.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during initial climb due to a broken spark plug.

Full Narrative

On August 22, 2001, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, an experimental Thomson Avid Flyer, N47065, received substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The solo private pilot/owner was not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. In a written statement to the NTSB dated August 27, the pilot related he had departed from runway 19L at the Birchwood Airport, and had climbed to approximately 800 feet msl in the ultralight pattern, when the engine starting missing and then quit. He wrote he was about 1/2 mile from the end of the runway, but was unable to glide that distance, and elected to land on the only flat spot available near adjacent railroad tracks. He said the airplane bounced once on landing, and then collided with a ditch, collapsing the main landing gear. The pilot said the loss of engine power was due to a broken spark plug on one of the two engine cylinders. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, disclosed substantial damage to the fuselage tubing structure near the main landing gear.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportBirchwood (0.2nm)
Runway19L
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThomson Avid Flyer
Tail NumberN47065
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility80 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data