# NTSB FTW99LA115: Davis/Cleaver Renegade 2, N2186B, Port Allen, LA, April 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 1999, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Port Allen, LA - Coordinates: 30.449195, -91.199943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4492&lon=-91.1999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA115 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The homebuilt experimental airplane impacted trees during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The airplane was turning to final approach to a private grass airstrip, when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to avoid a residential area and flew towards an open area. During the approach, the airplane clipped a pecan tree resulting in the aircraft spinning around and impacting the ground. The FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, and the co-owner/repairman examined the Rotax engine. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 1999, at 1530 central daylight time, a Davis/Cleaver Renegade 2 homebuilt experimental airplane, N2186B, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Port Allen, Louisiana. The private pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. The pilot and another private individual were the builders and owners of the biplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight, which originated 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the airplane was turning to final approach for a private grass strip, when the engine lost power. The pilot tried to avoid a residential area by flying toward an open area along the final approach path. During the approach, the biplane clipped a pecan tree resulting in the aircraft spinning around and impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. Witnesses to the accident helped the pilot out of the rear seat of the tandem-seat airplane. According to an FAA inspector, the engine, forward of the firewall, was buried in the ground. The front cockpit area was "heavily" damaged. The left wings were crushed aft approximately 12 inches, and the right wings sustained little damage. The FAA inspector confirmed flight control continuity at the accident site along with the presence of fuel in the tanks. The other owner of the experimental airplane, who was also the designated repairman for the aircraft, stated that he could not find any problems with the Rotax engine after the accident. The carburetor was destroyed, making it impossible to examine. He had flown the airplane 20 minutes prior to the accident flight and did not note any problems. The repairman completed a condition inspection of the airplane on April 1, 1999. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2186B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2186B-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 0022, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Davis/Cleaver RENEGADE 2 - Registry model: [Davis Bill/Cleaver Bob RENEGADE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-bill-cleaver-bob-renegade-ii) (registry code 05616VV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0022 - Airframe hours: 259 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William M. Davis Jr. - Registered owner: Bob Cleaver - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1999, 3 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BTR, 7 nm away ## 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 19990411003359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990411003359A), Apr 11, 1999: Amtr RENEGADE II, Erwinville, LA, Substantial damage. Acft engine failed on landing and the acft struck a tree during an attempted forced landing in a nearby field, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on… 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.