# NTSB CHI96LA163: Johnson Avid Flyer, N4274A, Rockford, MI, May 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1996, 20:26 local (May 18, 1996, 00:26 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, MI
- Coordinates: 43.119995, -85.550209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1200&lon=-85.5502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA163

## Probable cause

engine overtemperature which occurred for an undetermined reason.  A factor was the excessive descent rate.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - engine assembly,piston - seized
  - engine assembly - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, landing
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was climbing, 300 to 400 feet above ground level, when the engine suddenly lost power. After two to three seconds, the engine 'fired' for 'another second' then lost power again.  He selected a road to conduct a forced landing.  He reported that during the landing 'the vertical velocity was too fast.'  The landing gear collapsed and the left wing collided with a post.  Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of engine control or flight control malfunction and no anomalies with fuel or oil.  The piston rings were 'seized on the piston.'

## Factual narrative

On May 17, 1996, at 2026 eastern daylight time, a Johnson Avid Flyer, N4274A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Rockford, Michigan.  The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated in Greenville, Michigan about 1930 with a planned destination of Belding, Michigan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he was climbing, 300 to 400 feet above ground level, when the engine suddenly lost power.  After two to three seconds, the engine "fired" for "another second" then lost power again.  He selected a road to conduct a forced landing.  He reported that during the landing "the vertical velocity was too fast."  The landing gear collapsed and the left wing collided with a post.  The airplane came to rest in about 100 feet and the occupants egressed uneventfully.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the wreckage reported no evidence of engine control or flight control malfunction and no anomalies with fuel or oil.  He reported that the piston rings were "seized on the piston."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4274A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4274A-2000-03-27), registration cancelled 2000-03-27, S/N 564 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHNSON AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Johnson Robert A AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-robert-a-avid-flyer) (registry code 056187U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 564
- Airframe hours: 122
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Granger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1996, 1 hours before
- Departed: 6D6, GREENVILLE, MI
- Destination: BELDING, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 427 total, 22 in this make and model, 316 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19960517010789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960517010789A), May 17, 1996: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Rockford, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine failed while aircraft was in traffic pattern, made an emergency landing on a road. (.4)the pilot reported that he was climbing, 300 to 400 feet…

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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