# NTSB MIA99LA130: Zemp Avid Catalina, N9224T, Sebring, FL, April 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1999, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sebring, FL - Coordinates: 27.489725, -81.450485 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4897&lon=-81.4505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA130 ## Probable cause The in-flight separation of one of the propeller blade's and one of the engine's exhaust pipes causing the engine to vibrate until it stopped running. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - cracked (cause) - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - separation (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - powerplant - vibration - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise flight, at 1,000-feet agl, his experimental, pusher engine, hull configured amphibian sustained a propeller blade(s) separation and when he reduced power to alleviate the extreme vibration, the engine quit. The pilot's only option was to attempt an emergency landing to a clear spot in an abandoned orange grove. The aircraft collided with sand furrows and high vegetation sustaining heavy damage to the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that 2 of the 3 composite propeller blades were missing as well as the engine's left/front exhaust pipe. All that remained of the missing exhaust pipe was its attaching hardware to its exhaust port and a short stub revealing a 360-degree circumferential crack. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental Zemp Avid Catalina, N9224T, registered to Microlite Jet Engines, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed following an in-flight propeller blade(s) separation near Sebring, Florida. The amphibian aircraft was substantially damaged, and the private-rated pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from Avon Park Municipal Airport (AVO) about 1 hour before the accident. According to the pilot's statement, the flight was at 1,000 feet agl, in cruise, when he heard a "bang", experienced severe vibration of the whole airframe, and when he reduced power, the engine stopped running. The pilot and his passenger determined their only option was to try a forced landing to a clear area within an old citrus grove. As the touchdown area emerged clearer in the pilot's view, he decided to leave the main landing gear up on the hull configured airplane due to the uneven terrain. Upon landing, the right pontoon collided with a small tree/sand dune, and the airplane ground looped and came to rest inverted. Additionally, according to the pilot, postcrash examination of the airplane by he and the passenger revealed two of the three composite propeller blades of the pusher configured engine were missing except for about 10-inches from the hub, outward. Also missing was the engine's front/left side exhaust pipe. The stub of the exhaust pipe remaining shows a 360-degree circumferential crack. An engineering drawing supplied by the pilot detailing the failure is included in this report under, "Other Pertinent Forms and Reports". According to the FAA inspector, the pilot and his passenger, both Swiss nationals, were in this country for only a short time during the 1999 Sun 'N' Fun EAA Convention at Lakeland, Florida. Before the inspector could personally examine the wreckage, the pilot had removed the engine, sold it at Sun 'N' Fun, stored what was left of the airframe in a "T" hangar of a friend at AVO, and returned to Switzerland. Statements made by the friend are included in this report under, "Other Pertinent Forms and Reports". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9224T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9224T-1999-09-14), registration cancelled 1999-09-14, S/N 155AB (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZEMP AVID CATALINA (AVID CATAL) - Registry model: [Zemp Adrian AVID CATALINA](https://openairdocs.org/model/zemp-adrian-avid-catalina) (registry code 05601MU) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 155AB - Airframe hours: 100 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adrian M. Zemp - Registered owner: Microlite Jet Engines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1999, 1 hours before - Departed: AVO, AVON PARK, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 100 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 60 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 19990414003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990414003519A), Apr 14, 1999: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. Acft struck a bird and went down in a field, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on April 14, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental zemp… 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.