# NTSB LAX03LA132: Deer/Reffalt BD, N4365K, Greenfield, CA, April 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2003, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, CA - Coordinates: 36.333332, -121.216667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3333&lon=-121.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA132 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,static - terrain condition - other ## Analysis The airplane collided with power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that as he was returning to the airport, the engine lost power. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine power increased for about 30 seconds, then lost power again. This series of power loss/restoration happened three times. The engine did not cough, sputter, or make any metallic sounds. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane collided with power lines. The airplane came to rest vertically along side of agricultural shipping containers. An NTSB investigator examined the airplane, and selected the right main tank on the fuel selector valve. Recovery personnel plumbed a remote fuel tank into the right main tank fuel line. They bled the fuel system, and drained fuel into a clear glass bottle. The investigator observed no solid contaminants or water in the drained fuel. He detected no loose fuel lines, and observed no fuel stains or leaks. He blew into the vent line from the header tank, and uncontaminated fuel exited through the other end of the tube. The wreckage was secured to a trailer, and the engine was started. The rpm was increased to 1,800. A magneto check was performed, and the investigator observed a smooth 50-rpm drop on each magneto. The engine idled at 550 rpm. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2003, about 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Deer/Reffalt BD, N4365K, collided with power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Greenfield, California. Vaquero Aero was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained a minor injury; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Metz Field near Greenfield about 1450. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 36 degrees 20 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 13.0 minutes west longitude. The pilot stated that he was flying in the local area. As he was returning to the airport, the engine lost power. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine power increased for about 30 seconds. Then another loss of power occurred. This series of power loss and restoration happened three times. The engine did not cough, sputter, or make any metallic sounds. He set up a glide, but was unable to avoid a collision with power lines. The airplane came to rest vertically along side of agricultural shipping containers. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) examined the airplane and engine at Plain Parts in Pleasant Grove, California, on July 8, 2003. The IIC selected the right main tank on the fuel selector valve. Recovery personnel plumbed a remote fuel tank into the right main tank fuel line. They bled the fuel system, and drained fuel into a clear glass bottle. The IIC observed no solid contaminants or water in the drained fuel. He detected no loose fuel lines, and observed no fuel stains or leaks. He blew into the vent line from the header tank, and uncontaminated fuel exited through the other end of the tube. Recovery personnel secured the wreckage to a trailer. An operator started the engine. The operator ran the engine up to 1,800 revolutions per minute (rpm). He completed a magneto check, and the IIC observed a smooth 50-rpm drop on each magneto. The engine idled at 550 rpm. The operator shut the engine off by pulling the mixture control. The IIC noted that the engine shut down smoothly with a 50-rpm increase. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4365K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4365K-2007-10-26), registration cancelled 2007-10-26, S/N BD-001, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Deer/Reffalt BD - Registry model: [Deer B / Reffalt D BD](https://openairdocs.org/model/deer-b-reffalt-d-bd) (registry code 05618NJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BD-001 - Airframe hours: 628 - Engines: Lycoming O 235-C1B 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vaquero Aero - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2002, 70 hours before - Departed: 3CA7, Greenfield, CA - Airport: 3CA7, Metz, runway 32, 3,500 × 80 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 3, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 188 total, 17 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 27 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 20030407009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030407009129A), Apr 7, 2003: Overld SPORTTRAINER, Greenfield, CA, Destroyed. (-23) While in cruise flight at 2000' feet, the engine failed and restarted three times. The pilot flew through power lines cutting three strands of wire. The… 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.