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October 22, 2023 · Roth Frank Ronald AVID Aircraft · N246ML

Knoxville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Knoxville, TN
Aircraft
Roth Frank Ronald AVID Aircraft (1996)
Tail Number
N246ML
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA24LA018

The pilot reported that he had completed a preflight inspection and engine run-up with no anomalies noted. Shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb when the airplane was about 400 ft above the ground level (agl), the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot elected to land straight ahead on a riverbank. During the landing, the airplane struck trees and a metal fence before coming to rest in the river, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s two-stroke engine was conducted by the pilot. The pilot reported that the piston in the power take-off cylinder (PTO) had seized.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to a seized piston in the power take-off cylinder.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 2023, at 0935 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Avid Aircraft, N246ML, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after an uneventful preflight inspection and engine run-up, he departed runway 01 with the engine power set to 6,300 rpm. At 100 ft above the runway, he adjusted the engine rpm to 6,000. After about 1 minute of flying at an altitude of 400 ft agl, the engine decreased from 6,000 rpm to totally stopped within seconds. The pilot elected to land on a riverbank; however, the airplane contacted trees and a metal fence before coming to rest in the river. The pilot conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane’s two-stroke engine and found that the piston in the power take-off cylinder had seized during the accident flight. The pilot subsequently started the engine and it engine operated without any anomalies. The airplane’s most recent maintenance records were not located. The pilot reported the engine had accumulated about 177 hours of operation before the accident. He also stated the airplane had not been flown for about 10 years and was in poor condition when he purchased it. He reported that he did not perform any internal maintenance on the engine but did extensive work on the external components.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:35 EDT
Nearest AirportSky Ranch Airport (1nm NNW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRoth Frank Ronald AVID Aircraft
Tail NumberN246ML
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data