# NTSB CHI87DET06: Kennedy Avid Flyer, N138RK, Goshen, IN, June 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 06:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Goshen, IN
- Coordinates: 41.570755, -85.830299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5708&lon=-85.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DET06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DET06

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - engine assembly - vibration
  - engine assembly,mount - failure,total

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 1600 FEET MSL, ONE PROPELLER BLADE FAILED IN THE ROOT AREA AND DEPARTED THE ENGINE. THE PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FARMER'S FIELD. VIBRATIONS, RESULTING FROM THE UNBALANCED PROPELLER CONDITION, WERE OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT UPON LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N138RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N138RK), registered now, S/N 138 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KENNEDY AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Kennedy Robert L AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/kennedy-robert-l-avid-flyer) (registry code 05613KN) (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: 138
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: CUYUNA 06 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Kennedy
- Registered owner: Robert L Kennedy
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1987
- Departed: 2C9, ELKHART, IN
- Destination: HAI, THREE RIVERS, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 337 total, 65 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 35 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 19870614020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870614020129A), Jun 14, 1987: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Goshen, IN, Substantial damage. Suffered a broken propeller. Aircraft damaged by vibrations. Engine fell off on emergency landing in a field.

## Other investigations on N138RK (1)

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 CHI93LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA207), Jun 13, 1993: Robert L. Kennedy Avid Flyer (N138RK), White Pigeon, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INABILITY TO ATTAIN PROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT. THE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED IDLE SETTING WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ALSO A CAUSE.

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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