# NTSB LAX88DVA08: Smith Model B Avid Flyer, N249SJ, Atwater, CA, June 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1988, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Atwater, CA
- Coordinates: 37.320701, -120.630363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3207&lon=-120.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WENT TO IDLE. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE PILOT INSPECTED THE ENGINE FINDING NOTHING UNUSUAL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED ANOTHER TAKEOFF TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE PILOT MADE A LANDING PERPENDICULAR TO FRESHLY PLOWED ROWS OF SOFT DIRT. THE TAIL COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN FIRST AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N249SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N249SJ-1991-10-24), registration cancelled 1991-10-24, S/N 222 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MODEL B AVID FLYER (MODEL B AV)
- Registry model: [Smith Jeffrey E AVID FLYER MODEL B](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-jeffrey-e-avid-flyer-model-b) (registry code 056122X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 222
- Airframe hours: 112
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey E. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1988, 11 hours before
- Airport: 001, Atwater

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 112 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880618026739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880618026739A), Jun 18, 1988: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Atwater, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit the second time on takeoff from prior forced landing. Crash landed in soft field. Beleive fuel problem.

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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