# NTSB FTW00LA017: Wright Avid Flyer Mark IV, N583AF, Seabrook, TX, October 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 23, 1999, 09:59 local (14:59 UTC) - Place: Seabrook, TX - Coordinates: 29.559026, -95.02037 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5590&lon=-95.0204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47623/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA017 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - powerplant - vibration (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, emergency landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The 900-hour pilot lost control of the airplane while landing downwind on a dirt road with a 15 knot tailwind. The pilot reported that the engine developed a vibration accompanied by a rise in cylinder head temperature. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing on a westerly heading on a nearby dirt road to investigate the source of the engine problem. The pilot was expecting a crosswind landing; however, the wind speed and direction were different than anticipated and he ended up landing the airplane with a tailwind. The pilot applied the brakes immediately after touchdown to avoid colliding with a steel gate. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the left and exited the roadway. The nose landing gear assembly collapsed, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. ## Factual narrative On October 23, 1999, at 0959 central daylight time, a Wright Avid Flyer Mark IV homebuilt airplane, N583AF, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain while landing on a road near Seabrook, Texas. The pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Johnnie Volk Field Airport (37R), near Hitchcock, Texas, at 0900. The 900-hour pilot reported that the 2-cylinder Rotax engine developed a vibration during flight. The pilot stated that the vibration was accompanied by a rise in cylinder head temperature, so he elected to perform a precautionary landing on a westerly heading on a nearby dirt road to investigate the source of the engine problem. The pilot, who had accumulated over 400 hours in the airplane, stated that he was expecting a crosswind landing; however, the wind speed and direction were different than anticipated and he ended up landing the airplane downwind. The pilot stated that the airplane touched down and he "immediately" applied the brakes to avoid colliding with a steel gate located at the end of the road. As the brakes were applied, the airplane drifted to the left and the airplane exited the roadway. Subsequently, the nose landing gear assembly collapsed, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the airplane by the owner revealed that both wing struts were bent, the vertical fin was crushed, and the wing spar sustained structural damage. At 0952, the winds at the Scholes Airport, near Galveston, Texas, located 14 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, were reported from 030 degrees at 11 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the northeast at 10 to 15 knots. ## 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 MARK IV (AVID FLYER) - 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: 3972258 - Airframe hours: 420 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph P. Moe - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1999, 18 hours before - Departed: 37R, HITCHCOCK, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 420 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19991023030589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991023030589A), Oct 23, 1999: Amtr AVIDFLYMKIV, Sea Brook, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot experienced a rough running engine and elected to make an emergency landing. He landed downwind on a road situated in a pasture. He lost… ## 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 DFW08CA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA184), Jul 12, 2008: Wright Avid Flyer MK IV (N583AF), Lake Jackson, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure. 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.