# Accident 20091017050339A: Palen AVRO-504K, Rhinebeck, NY, October 17, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 17, 2009, 15:30 local time
- Place: Rhinebeck, NY
- Airport: Old Rhinebeck Aeroodrome
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: NONE
- Location: 41.9694° N, 73.8578° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9694&lon=-73.8578&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4929, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4929) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Palen AVRO-504K (registry code 0562131, https://openairdocs.org/model/palen-avro-504k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lerhone TYPE C (registry code 40001, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lerhone-type-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PALEN AVRO-504K
- Reported engine: LERHONE TYPE J
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,200 total, 20 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091017050339A

## Narrative

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

PER THE PILOTS STATEMENT, " ON OCTOBER 17, 2009 AT 15:05, AFTER RUNNING UP THE ENGINE OF THE AVRO 504 K REPLICA TO 1250 RPMS, I TOOK OFF TO THE NORTH AND AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET I HEARD A THUMP IN THE ENGINE. AS I DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RUNWAY IN FRONT OF ME, I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AWAY FROM THE PRIMARY SPECTATOR LINE. I TRIED IN VAIN TO CLIMB FOR ALTITUDE AS MY AIRSPEED AND RPMS WERE DECREASING.  I PUT THE AIRCRAFT INTO A SHALLOW 180 DEGREE TURN TRYING TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AT MINIMIN AIRSPEED. I HAD NEITHER THE ALTITUDE NOR THE AIRSPEED TO TURN LEFT AND TRY TO LAND DOWNWIND MID-FIELD.  THIS WAS BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY COUPLED WITH THE RISK OF A STALL/ SPIN CLOSE TO THE PRIMARY SPECTATOR LINE. I CHOSE TO CONTINUE THE TURN AND TRY TO LAND FURTHER TO THE NORTH. AS I TURNED BASE FOR RUNWAY 18, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I HAD TO SET IT DOWN IN THE TREES.  I ESTIMATE I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN I SET IT DOWN IN THE TREE TOPS.  I HAVE ABOUT 20 HOURS IN THIS AIRCRAFT AND I KNOW THE ENGINE WELL. I BELIEVE SOMETHING BROKE INTERNALLY ON TAKE OFF."

## 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 ERA10LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA021), Oct 17, 2009: Palen AVRO-504K (N4929), Rhinebeck, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the in-flight separation of the number 3 cylinder valve rocker arm attachment hardware. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance inspection of the…

## Other reports on N4929 (1)

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

- [Accident 20030604030289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030604030289A), Jun 4, 2003: Amtr AVRO504K (N4929), Rhinebeck, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine began losing power after take off and failed during climb. Pilot attempted to maneuver back to the runway, but could not make the runway due to…

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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