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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 1, 2007 · Carris Avid Aircraft · N9174D

Delray, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Delray, FL
Aircraft
Carris Avid Aircraft
Tail Number
N9174D
Operator
Charles K Scherer
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC07LA027

The private pilot, with one passenger, was conducting a Title 14, CFR Part 91 personal flight in an experimental, homebuilt airplane. As a result of the accident, the pilot sustained serious injuries and was unable to recall any details about the accident. According to rescue personnel that responded to the accident site, the pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight, and the accident happened as he was attempting a forced landing in an open field. Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane fly over the open field, followed by a series of descending, spiral turns over the intended landing site. As the airplane continued the series of turns, it abruptly nosed down and struck the ground nose first. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. An FAA airworthiness inspector inspected the airplane wreckage after its recovery. The inspector said that the right fuel tank contained about 4 gallons of fuel, and the left fuel tank was empty. He also reported that he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On April 1, 2007, about 1454 Eastern daylight time, an experimental Carris Avid Flyer, N9174D, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near Delray Beach, Florida. The private pilot/owner and the one passenger both sustained serious injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated at the Antiquers Aerodrome, a private fly in community, located in Delray Beach, about 1430. According to rescue personnel that responded to the accident site, the pilot reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight, and the accident happened as he was attempting a forced landing in an open field. Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane fly over the open field, followed by a series of descending, spiral turns over the intended landing site. The witnesses said that as the airplane continued the series of turns, it abruptly nosed down, and struck the ground nose first. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The accident airplane was equipped with a Rotax engine, model 582UL. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he has no memory of the accident due to retrograde amnesia. He said that his passenger, who remained conscious following the accident, reported that the engine quit running, and the accident happened while he was attempting a forced landing in an open field. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Fort Lauderdale Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane wreckage after it was recovered from the accident site. The inspector reported that the right fuel tank contained about 4 gallons of fuel, and the left fuel tank was empty. He also reported that he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:54 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCarris Avid Aircraft
Tail NumberN9174D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles K Scherer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 UL · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 13 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter0
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data