# NTSB MIA98LA158: David McElhannon Avid MK. 4, N117DK, Elberton, GA, May 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1998, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Elberton, GA - Coordinates: 34.10044, -82.86071 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1004&lon=-82.8607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA158 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a failed combustion assembly, expansion seal. ## Analysis On climbout, the engine experienced a power loss that would not sustain level flight and the pilot performed a forced landing to a hay field. During the forced landing the airplane collided with the dense grass and upslope terrain. Postcrash examination of the engine revealed about 75 percent of the number one cylinder expansion chamber gasket blown out, with resultant loosening of the cylinder attach bolts. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1998, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt Avid Mk. 4 Speedwing, N117DK, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed into a hayfield near Elberton, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Elbert County-Paz Field, Georgia, about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated during climbout, at about 500 feet agl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot felt his only option was to try for a hayfield, but a steeper than expected upslope of the terrain and thickness of growth resulted in a firm touchdown that deformed the landing gear structure, broke two of the three wooden propeller blades, and caused the airplane to nose over. Postcrash examination of the welded tube and fabric fuselage revealed longeron bending at the left landing gear strut attach point, as well as bending of both left wing struts. The powerplant, a two cylinder, two cycle design, Rotax 582, was inspected, with FAA oversight, for any precrash malfunctions. About 75% of the number one cylinder expansion chamber gasket was found to be blown out, with resultant loosening of the cylinder attach bolts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - combustion assembly,expansion seal - failure - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - uphill - terrain condition - high vegetation - Nose over, emergency descent/landing ## Aircraft - Registration: [N117DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117DK-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1383D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: David McElhannon AVID MK. 4 - Registry model: [Mcelhannon David Fayette AVID MK IV SPEEDWING](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcelhannon-david-fayette-avid-mk-iv-speedwing) (registry code 056045U) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1383D - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Rotax 582C 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Mcelhannon - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 27A, GA - Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 526 total, 6 in this make and model, 498 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AHN, 30 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 19980511014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980511014289A), May 11, 1998: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Elberton, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in tall hayfield. Nosed over. Non certified engine in homebuilt. (.4)on climbout, the engine experienced a power loss that would… 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.