# NTSB DFW08CA184: Wright Avid Flyer MK IV, N583AF, Lake Jackson, TX, July 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2008, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Jackson, TX - Coordinates: 29.023056, -95.484443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0231&lon=-95.4844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA184 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [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: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [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: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626UW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the engine started to lose power and "created a rattling sound". The pilot tried to return to his departure airfield but was unable; and elected to perform a forced landing on a dirt road. During the landing the aircraft's nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to stop against a fence post. An inspection of the engine by the aircraft owner revealed that one of the connecting rods had failed. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the engine started to lose power and "created a rattling sound". The pilot tried to return to his departure airfield but was unable; and elected to perform a forced landing on a dirt road. During the landing the aircraft's nose gear collapsed and the aircraft came to stop against a fence post. An inspection of the engine by the aircraft owner revealed that one of the connecting rods had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N583AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N583AF-2010-04-19), registration cancelled 2010-04-19, S/N 993195MK4, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wright Avid Flyer MK IV - Registry model: [Wright Bruce M AVID FLYER MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/wright-bruce-m-avid-flyer-mk-iv) (registry code 05626UW) (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: 993195MK4 - Airframe hours: 1546.9 - Engines: Jabiru 2200 85 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2008 - Departed: LBX, ANGLETON/LAKE J, TX - Destination: 37R, HITCHCOCK, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,002 total, 940 in this make and model, 1,002 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KLBX ## 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 20080712840119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080712840119A), Jul 12, 2008: Amtr AVIDFLYMKIV, Angleton/Lake, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 7/12/2008 at approximately 13:30 CST an amateur built aircraft make: wright, bruce m., model: avid flyer mk iv, sn 993195, was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N583AF (2) 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 CEN09LA572](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA572), Sep 3, 2009: Wright Bruce M Avid Flyer (N583AF), Hitchcock, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB FTW00LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA017), Oct 23, 1999: Wright Avid Flyer Mark IV (N583AF), Seabrook, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a downwind landing. Factors were his improper weather evaluation, the prevailing tailwind, and the engine vibration. 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.