# NTSB CEN09LA572: Wright Bruce M Avid Flyer, N583AF, Hitchcock, TX, September 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2009, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Hitchcock, TX - Coordinates: 29.360277, -95.009719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3603&lon=-95.0097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA572 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74686/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74686 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA572 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff the airplane's engine experienced a complete loss of power. With trees straight ahead, the pilot elected to turn left towards a clearing. Unable to reach the clearing, the airplane impacted trees and, subsequently, the ground. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot further reported that prior to takeoff he had performed a preflight inspection and verified sufficient fuel and oil for the flight. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane's left wing and fuselage had sustained structural damage. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2009, about 1300 central daylight time, a single-engine Wright Bruce Avid Flyer experimental airplane, N583AF, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Hitchcock, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. During a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the engine experienced a complete loss of power. With trees straight ahead the pilot elected to turn left towards a clearing. Unable to reach the clearing, the airplane impacted trees and subsequently the ground. The airplane came to rest in a nose down position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot further reported that prior to takeoff he had performed a preflight inspection and verified sufficient fuel and oil for the flight. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane's left wing and fuselage had sustained structural damage. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N583AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N583AF-2010-04-19), registration cancelled 2010-04-19, S/N 993195MK4, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WRIGHT BRUCE M AVID FLYER - Registry model: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/wright-bruce-m-avid-flyer-mk-iv) (registry code 05626UW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 993195MK4 - Airframe hours: 1592 - Engines: Jabiru 2200 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Moe Ralph P - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 3, 2009 - Departed: 37TE, Hitchcock, TX - Destination: 37TE, Hitchcock, TX - Airport: 37TE, Johnnie Volk Field, runway 35, 1,800 × 30 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,020 total, 978 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg ## 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 20090903016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090903016609A), Sep 3, 2009: Wright AVIDFLYERMKI, Hitchcock, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) During take-off to the north, and climb out from Volk field (37TE) in Hitchcock, Texas. The pilot of an experimental amateur built aircraft, reported… ## Other investigations on N583AF (2) 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 DFW08CA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA184), Jul 12, 2008: Wright Avid Flyer MK IV (N583AF), Lake Jackson, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure. - [NTSB FTW00LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA017), Oct 23, 1999: Wright Avid Flyer Mark IV (N583AF), Seabrook, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a downwind landing. Factors were his improper weather evaluation, the prevailing tailwind, and the engine vibration. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74686. 116 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.