# NTSB ATL01LA088: W. E. Simmons Max Air Drifter ARV 582, N102WS, Collington, NC, July 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 2001, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC) - Place: Collington, NC - Coordinates: 35.919166, -75.695556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9192&lon=-75.6956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 9, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Greensboro FSDO - 05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA088 ## Probable cause The internal seizing of the engine assembly that resulted in a total loss of engine power during climb out. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly - seized (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane was on initial climb after a water takeoff when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot established a glide straight ahead. The pilot then turned the airplane hard to the left to avoid hitting a bridge. The pilot stated there was not enough altitude or airspeed to complete the turn and landing flare. The airplane struck the water while maneuvering for the forced landing. The examination of the recovered airplane disclosed that both wings had separated from the airframe. Water submersion and impact damage to the engine assembly prevented a functional examination. However, the subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the engine had seized and the internal components would not rotate. The pilot further reported that the engine had been overhauled once, but he could not recall the exact time of the overhaul, or total engine time. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 2001, at 0745 eastern daylight time, a W. E. Simmons Max Air Drifter ARV 582 experimental amphibious airplane, N102WS, registered to a private owner, collided with the water while maneuvering to avoid a bridge after a loss of engine power in Collington, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot received serious injuries, the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating in Collington, North Carolina, at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane was on initial climb after a water takeoff when it experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power. The pilot established a glide straight ahead. A small bridge was in the flight path, and the pilot stated the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to clear it. The pilot turned the airplane hard to the left to avoid a collision with the bridge. The pilot stated there was not enough altitude or airspeed to complete the turn and landing flare. The airplane struck the water as the pilot maneuvered for the emergency landing. The examination of the recovered airplane disclosed that both wings had separated from the airframe. Water submersion and impact damage to the engine assembly prevent a functional examination. However, the subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the engine had seized and the internal components would not rotate. According to the pilot, the airplane maintenance logs were kept in the airplane, and they were not recovered from the water with the airplane. The pilot further reported that the engine had been overhauled once, but he could not recall the exact time of the overhaul, or total engine time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102WS-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N S-5-91, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: W. E. Simmons Max Air DRIFTER ARV 582 - Registry model: [Simmons W E DRIFTER ARV 582](https://openairdocs.org/model/simmons-w-e-drifter-arv-582) (registry code 95708DM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S-5-91 - Airframe hours: 500 - Engines: Rotax 582UL DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Mason - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Collington, NC - Destination: Collington, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KMQI, 6 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010722019239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010722019239A), Jul 22, 2001: Amtr DRIFTEARV582, Collington, NC, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 22, 2001, at 0745 eastern daylight time, a w.e. simmons drifter arv 582, an experimental amphibian airplane, N102WS, collided with the water… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.