# Accident 20040229003189A: Amtr AIRBIKE, Elko, NV, February 29, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 29, 2004, 09:20 local time
- Place: Elko, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.6417° N, 115.7100° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6417&lon=-115.7100&mi=10
- Aircraft: N240JC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N240JC-2006-12-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Wilson Alan TANDUM AIR BIKE (registry code 05607N0, https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-alan-tandum-air-bike) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Subaru ALL MDLS A/B (registry code 59050, https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR AIRBIKE
- Reported engine: AMTR EA81
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 275 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA140) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040229003189A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON 02/29/04, 0920 PST, THIS EXPERIMENTAL HOME-BUILT WILSON ALAN TANDUM AIR BIKE, N240JC, EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING ABOUT TWELVE MILES SOUTH OF ELKO, NEVADA. THE OWNER/BUILDER AND HIS WIFE WERE ABOARD AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON THE SNOW COVERED DESERT FLOOR.THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SAGE BRUSH WAS FROZEN INTO THE GROUND AND HIS FUSELAGE WAS TWISTED WHEN HIS TAIL WHEEL BECAME TANGLED IN A CLUMP OF SAGE BRUSH JUST WHEN THE AIRCRAFT HIT A BERM OF SNOW, BUT THE AIRPLANE REMAINED UPRIGHT. THIS WAS A PERSONAL FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR 91. FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM ELKO ABOUT ONE HOUR EARLIER. VMC PREVAILED. NO FLIGHT PLAN. NO ELT ACTIVATION. NO INJURIES. THIS AIRPLANE IS POWERED BY A SUBARU EA-81 AUTOMOTIVE, FOUR CYLINDER, FUEL INJECTED, TURBO-CHARGED, LIQUID COOLED, 85 HORSE POWER ENGINE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE AUTOMOTIVE TYPE ELECTRICAL COIL IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM HAD FAILED COMPLETELY. BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY WINDING WERE FOUND TO BE OPEN CIRCUITED AND NOT ALLOWING ANY SPARK TO DEVELOP. ALSO, THIS MAY BE THE WRONG APPLICATION (TOO MUCH VIBRATION) FOR THIS TYPE OF USE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX04LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA140), Feb 29, 2004: Alan Wilson Tandum Air Bike (N240JC), Elko, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of an ignition system component.

## Other reports on N240JC (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20030526022099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030526022099I), May 26, 2003: Amtr AIRBIKE (N240JC), Elko, NV, Minor damage. (-23) The left front brake installation went over-center causing the brake to lock. The aircraft went off the road and struck a fence. Damage to the propeller…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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