# NTSB DEN08LA108: Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV, N6880L, Augusta, KS, June 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2008, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Augusta, KS - Coordinates: 37.671665, -97.077774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6717&lon=-97.0778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Stabdards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68276/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA108 ## Probable cause Failure of the engine cooling system's thermostat, causing the engine to overheat and seize. Contributing to the accident was the fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng liquid cooling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction; cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng liquid cooling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05618VW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The engine started overheating. The pilot turned around to return to the airport. On approach at approximately 500 feet, the engine seized. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field, but the airplane landed hard on the terrain, bending the landing gear. It then slid 80 feet and struck a fence. The pilot reported that the thermostat failed, causing the engine to overheat and seize. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2008, approximately 0800 central daylight time, a Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV, N6880L, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a loss of power during a forced landing approach at Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU), Augusta, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The local flight originated at Augusta approximately 0730. The pilot told an FAA inspector that the engine started overheating and he turned around and was returning to the airport. On approach at approximately 500 feet, the engine seized. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field but the airplane landed hard on the terrain, bending the landing gear. It then slid 80 feet and struck a fence. Damage consisted of a wrinkled fuselage. The pilot reported the reason the engine seized was due to a failed thermostat, causing the engine to overheat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6880L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6880L-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 1115D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV - Registry model: [Mercer Earl L AVID FLYER MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/mercer-earl-l-avid-flyer-mk-iv) (registry code 05618VW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1115D - Airframe hours: 15 - Engines: ROTAX 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kansas Museum of Military History - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 27, 2007, 5 hours before - Departed: 3AU, Augusta, KS - Destination: 3AU ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: ICT ## 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 20080621840509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080621840509A), Jun 21, 2008: Amtr AVIDMARKIV, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] ATP certificate number [privacy data omitted] total hours 12,500, hours approximately 15 hours in type. Aircraft departed a… 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.