# NTSB CHI05CA263: Keith Avid Amphibian, N54BX, Buchanan, MI, September 10, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 10, 2005, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Buchanan, MI
- Coordinates: 41.807498, -86.305831
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8075&lon=-86.3058&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA263

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot.  A factor was the power lines.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The amateur-built amphibian airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a power line and terrain during a forced landing after a loss of power following a water takeoff.  The pilot reported that he performed a complete preflight and that the engine was running "extremely well."  The tachometer was reading 6,500 RPM and all temperatures were in the normal range during climbout.  He did a crosswind turn at 300 feet above ground level to stay in the pattern for another water landing.  He reported that 10 seconds after the turn, the engine stopped.  The pilot reported that there was no indication of any engine problem before the engine stopped.  He reported, "It acted as though the ignition switch was turned off."  The on-site inspection of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 2005, at 0945 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Keith Avid Amphibian, N54BX, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a power line and terrain during a forced landing after a loss of power following a water takeoff near Buchanan, Michigan.  The private pilot received minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed Niles, Michigan, at 0900 on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he performed a complete preflight and that the engine was running "extremely well."  He reported that the tachometer was reading 6,500 RPM and all temperatures were in the normal range during climbout.  He did a crosswind turn at 300 feet above ground level to stay in the pattern for another water landing.  He reported that 10 seconds after the turn, the engine stopped.  The pilot reported that there was no indication of any engine problem before the engine stopped.  He reported, "It acted as though the ignition switch was turned off."

The on-site inspection of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54BX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54BX-2013-11-07), registration cancelled 2013-11-07, S/N 54A, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Keith Avid Amphibian
- Registry model: [Bilby Keith AVID AMPHIBIAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/bilby-keith-avid-amphibian) (registry code 05625Q7) (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: 54A
- Engines: Rotax 582 68 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Fisher
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 3TR, Niles, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 1,100 total, 10 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050910027289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050910027289A), Sep 10, 2005: Amtr AVIDCATALINA, Buchanan Twp, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was interviewed at the scene by myself. He stated that he was flying the aircraft practicing take off and landings on…

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.

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