# NTSB LAX97LA028: Leibert BD-5B, N169DS, Phoenix, AZ, October 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 1996, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.440341, -111.850677 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4403&lon=-111.8507&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 May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA028 ## Probable cause loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb, due to an undetermined cooling system malfunction. A related factor was: soft terrain in the forced landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - cooling system - undetermined (cause) - engine assembly - overtemperature (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Gear collapsed, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that as he was doing touch-and-go operations, the engine overheated and lost power during the takeoff initial climb. He landed in flat desert terrain, and the landing gear collapsed as the airplane touched down in soft soil. Responding bystanders and fire personnel stated that fuel was leaking from the aircraft as they arrived. A responding FAA inspector stated that on his arrival, several hours after the accident, the coolant temperature gauge was pegged above the redline limit. The inspector reported that the cylinder interiors exhibited evidence of high heat. No determination was made regarding the cooling system. ## Factual narrative On October 30, 1996, at 1040 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Leibert BD-5B, N169DS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt near the Williams Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb while the pilot was performing touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. After the loss of engine power the aircraft attempted to land in flat desert terrain and the landing gear was ripped out of the airplane as it touched down in the soft soil. The aircraft then cart-wheeled coming to rest about 1 1/2 miles west of the air traffic control tower. Responding bystanders and fire personnel stated that fuel was leaking from the aircraft as they arrived. During his rescue and extrication from the aircraft, the pilot told the bystanders that the Rotax engine overheated and quit. A responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that on his arrival several hours after the accident, the coolant temperature gage was pegged above the redline limit. The inspector reported that the cylinder interiors exhibited evidence of high heat. No determination was made regarding the cooling system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169DS-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 29 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Leibert BD-5B - Registry model: [Leibert Edward BD-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/leibert-edward-bd-5b) (registry code 056221M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 29 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Rotax 503 55 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leon Redman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: IWA, AZ - Airport: IWA, Williams Gateway, runway 30C, 3,109 × 46 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,600 total, 1 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IWA ## 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 19961030034489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961030034489A), Oct 30, 1996: Amtrbd BEDEBD5B, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power in climbout. Tore off gear landing in desert. Cartwheeled. Engine overheated. Coolant system suspect. 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.