# NTSB FTW93LA149: Haltom Avid Flyer, N567WH, Houston, TX, May 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1993, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.73991, -95.559051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7399&lon=-95.5591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA149

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS WITH CAUSE UNDETERMINED. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CLIMBING DEPARTURE AT APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED. THE PILOT ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE AND REGAINED A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO REGAIN FULL ENGINE POWER AND AT 250 FEET AGL, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN THE PLOWED FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER LOSS

## Factual narrative

On May 4, 1993, at approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Haltom Avid Flyer, N567WH, was destroyed near Houston, Texas, during a forced landing following partial loss of engine power during departure climb. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

An interview conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector with the pilot and the pilot report submitted to the Safety Board revealed the following information. The airplane departed the Andrau Airport, Houston, Texas. During the climb, south of the airport an engine partial power loss occurred. The pilot attempted to regain engine power, however, full power could not be attained. During the emergency approach, glide speed was maintained so the pilot could clear some buildings and land in the field. During the landing roll the "nose wheel hit an ant hill" and the airplane became airborne. As the pilot "regained control" and landed the airplane in the plowed field, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in an inverted position.

An examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any engine anomalies that would have contributed to the power loss.

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N567WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N567WH-1994-02-11), registration cancelled 1994-02-11, S/N 567 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HALTOM AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Haltom Steve AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/haltom-steve-avid-flyer) (registry code 05616E5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 564
- Airframe hours: 43
- Engines: ROTAX 582-UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Haltom, Winfield S.
- Registered owner: Haltom, Winfield S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1993, 2 hours before
- Departed: AAP
- Destination: AAP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 43 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19930504012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930504012299A), May 4, 1993: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Lost power. Nosed over on forced landing, no engine defects found.

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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