# Incident 20181203023139I: Dietrich Ryan S-4 COYOTE 1, Chula, CA, December 3, 2018

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 3, 2018, 17:00 local time
- Place: Chula, CA
- Airport: Nichols Field
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft: N3156D, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3156D) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Dietrich Ryan S-4 COYOTE 1 (registry code 05605NR, https://openairdocs.org/model/dietrich-ryan-s-4-coyote-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DIETRICH RYAN S-4 COYOTE 1
- Reported engine: ROTAX ROTAX 503
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 70 total, 18 in this make and model
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181203023139I

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS SOLOING IN THE PRACTICE AREA.  HE WAS RETURNING TO NICHOLS FIELD, AND BEGINNING HIS DESCENT.  HE INDICATED THAT HIS RADIO WAS HAVING SOME INTERFERENCE FROM THE AIRCRAFT?S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHEN HE TOOK OFF.  TO MAKE SURE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON RETURN, HE REACHED UP TO TURN OFF THE MASTER SWITCH.  AT THIS POINT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STOPPED.  PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT RESTART BECAUSE PRIOR TO FLIGHT HE HAD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FROM THE STARTER MOTOR AND FELT HE WAS TOO LOW TO TRY A RESTART.  PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN SOME BUSHES, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT AND GIVING HIM BRUISED RIBS.  AFTER LANDING PILOT WENT TO TURN OFF MASTER AND MAGNETOS.  PILOT NOTICED THAT THE MAGNETOS SWITCH WAS ALREADY TURNED OFF AND THE MASTER WAS ON.  PILOT STATED THAT HE MUST HAVE ACCIDENTALLY TURNED OFF THE MAGNETOS INSTEAD OF THE MASTER IN FLIGHT.

AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN STARTED, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT FLYING THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DESCREPANCY.

## Other reports on N3156D (1)

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

- [Accident 20220408005199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220408005199A), Apr 8, 2022: Dietrich Ryan S-4 COYOTE 1 (N3156D), Jamul, CA, Substantial damage. On April 8, 2022 N3156D loss control immediately after takeoff from John nichol's field. It appears the mechanic did not properly install the upper right wing…

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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