# NTSB LAX92LA002: Cano Avid Flyer, N860CD, Sonora, CA, October 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1991, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Sonora, CA
- Coordinates: 37.980083, -120.389823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9801&lon=-120.3898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA002

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO VAPOR LOCK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - not installed (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT THAT HE REFUELED THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE WITH ABOUT 19 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DEPARTED COLUMBIA AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 10,000 FEET WHILE HE FLEW AROUND THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.  AT ABOUT 1200 HOURS, HE TURNED AND HEADED BACK TO COLUMBIA.  HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AND THE REAR CYLINDER EGT INDICATED A POTENTIAL FUEL STARVATION PROBLEM.  THE ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING SUFFICIENT POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT AND THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A MOUNTAIN MEADOW. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE, EVEN AFTER THE THROTTLE WAS REDUCED TO IDLE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO OVER SHOOT HIS INTENDED LANDING SPOT.  THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE FAR END OF THE MEADOW.  THE PILOT SAID THE  AIRCRAFT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP.  HE SPECULATED THAT THE ENGINE POWER PROBLEM WAS DUE TO EITHER VAPOR LOCK OR A MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N860CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N860CD-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 860, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CANO AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Cano David AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cano-david-avid-flyer) (registry code 0561847) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 860
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Derego, Charles A.
- Registered owner: Cano, David
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1990, 65 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19911001044409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911001044409A), Oct 1, 1991: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Sonora, CA, Substantial damage. Surging engine. Elected to land. Overshot open field. Hit brush and nosed over. Blamed vapor lock or fuel pump.

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.