# NTSB LAX02LA253: Reed Avid Commuter, N837TR, Goffs, CA, August 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2002, 07:48 local (14:48 UTC) - Place: Goffs, CA - Coordinates: 34.916667, -115.061668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9167&lon=-115.0617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55504/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA253 ## Probable cause The engine loss of power for undetermined reasons. A contributing 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis During cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl. the airplane experienced a loss in engine power. The pilot initiated an emergency descent to rough and uneven terrain. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot stated that both wings were destroyed and the fuselage sustained major structural damage. The post-accident examination of the Rotax engine was performed by the pilot. The pilot was able to establish control continuity to the carburetor as well as electrical continuity. The engine was started using the airplane's fuel system. The engine ran for about 30 minutes at different power settings and the pilot reported that "it never skipped a beat!" The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2002, at 0748 pacific daylight time, a Reed Avid Commuter experimental airplane, N837TR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Goffs, California. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and a weather briefing was received for the personal cross-country flight that originated at the Mesquite Airport (67L), near Mesquite, Nevada, at 0638. The flight was destined for the Ramona Airport (RNM), near Ramona, California. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the 2-cylinder liquid cooled Rotax 582 engine lost power during cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl. The pilot initiated an emergency descent to very rough and uneven terrain while he made a distress call. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll, coming to rest in the inverted position. The flight crew of American Airlines flight (flight 106) received the distress call and relayed the position and status of the airplane to the nearest flight service station, who in turn initiated search and rescue activities. A California Highway Patrol helicopter located the wreckage 10 miles north of the Goffs VOR, and rescued the pilot. The 269-hour pilot added that both wings were destroyed and the fuselage sustained major structural damage. The airframe and engine had accumulated a total of 161 hours. A post-accident examination of the Rotax engine was performed by the pilot. The pilot was able to establish control continuity to the carburetor as well as electrical continuity. The engine was started using the airplane's fuel system. The engine ran for about 30 minutes at different power settings and the pilot reported that "it never skipped a beat!" The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N837TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N837TR-2002-10-31), registration cancelled 2002-10-31, S/N 837, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Reed Avid Commuter - Registry model: [Reed Thomas E AVID COMMUTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/reed-thomas-e-avid-commuter) (registry code 05618XV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 837 - Airframe hours: 161 - Engines: Rotax 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas E. Reed - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2002, 28 hours before - Departed: 67L, Mesquite, NV - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 20, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 269 total, 161 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: DAG ## 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 20020816024509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020816024509A), Aug 16, 2002: Amtr AVIDCOMMUTER, Goffs, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 16, 2002, at 0748 PDT, a reed avid commuter experimental aircraft, N837TR was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of… 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.