# NTSB CHI85LA029: Light Aero Avid Flyer 1, N4919C, Allegan, MI, October 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Allegan, MI
- Coordinates: 42.520557, -85.840873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5206&lon=-85.8409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - aircraft handling - reduced
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

PLT STATED HE NOTED A MOMENTARY FLUTTER IN THE RIGHT FLAPERON WHILE IN CRUISE AT 80 KTS. HE THEN HEARD A BANG AND LOOKING AT RIGHT WING, OBSERVED AT LEAST TWO OF THE OUTBOARD FLAPERON HINGE ATTACHMENTS HAD BROKEN. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A 30-DEGREE RIGHT BANK AND DESCENDING TURN AT A DESCENT RATE OF 700-800 FPM. WHILE MANUVERING TO AVOID OBSTACLES BY USE OF LEFT RUDDER IN A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT, PLT PULLED THE NOSE UP TO CLEAR A FENCE, THE ACFT STALLED AND MUSHED INTO A FLD NOSING OVER UPON TOUCHDOWN ON THE RIGHT WING TIP AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR. REASON FLAPERON HINGE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4919C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4919C-2006-08-16), registration cancelled 2006-08-16, S/N 38, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LIGHT AERO,INC. (ASHLEY) AVID FLYER 1 (AVID FLYER)
- Registry model: [Ashley William E AVID FLYER I](https://openairdocs.org/model/ashley-william-e-avid-flyer-i) (registry code 05613BD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cuyuna ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cuyuna-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 19050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 38
- Airframe hours: 74
- Engines: CUYUNA 430 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Ashley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 35D, ALLEGAN, MI
- Airport: 35D, Padgham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 74 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19841026061369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026061369A), Oct 26, 1984: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Allegan, MI, Substantial damage. Extended outer wing ribs, which support flaperons, failed. Stiffener kit available. Service bulletin issued.

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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