# NTSB NYC00LA176: Schwarz Avid Amphibian, N61HS, Fredericksburg, VA, June 22, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2000, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, VA - Coordinates: 38.28915, -77.480987 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2891&lon=-77.4810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49515/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA176 ## Probable cause A failure of the propeller reduction gear assembly for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of thrust. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reduction gear assy - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot adjusted the homebuilt airplane's propeller pitch and after a normal ground run-up he departed for a test flight. He stated that the takeoff was normal and the engine sounded 'smooth.' After reaching an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet (agl), the airplane experienced a sharp reduction in power. The RPM dropped from 6,600 to 5,700; however, the engine sound remained constant. The pilot retarded the throttle and then advanced the throttle forward. The engine RPM increased momentarily then dropped to about 5,000 RPM. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and performed a forced landing to a cornfield. Examination of the airplane did not revealed any catastrophic airframe or engine malfunctions. Additionally, the airplane's engine ran smoothly during a post accident test run performed by the pilot; however, examination of the propeller reduction gearbox revealed that the steel cage of the sprague clutch bearing was 'cracked and partially disintegrated.' ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2000, about 1530 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt Avid Amphibian, N61HS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said that about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks prior to the accident, he removed the airplane's engine, propeller, alternator, and magnetos to check wiring located beneath the airplane's instrument panel. After reassembling the components, he performed a successful engine ground test run-up, and a 30 minute test flight. During the test flight, the pilot noticed the engine RPM consistently went beyond the red line limit. After landing he confirmed that the propeller, which was an IVRO Magnum, ground adjustable propeller, was set to the same pitch prior to it's removal. On the day of the accident, the pilot adjusted the propeller pitch an additional 5 degrees to keep the RPM within limits. He then performed a normal ground run-up at EZF, and departed Runway 24 for a test flight. The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal and the engine sounded "smooth." After reaching an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet (agl), the airplane experienced a sharp reduction in power. The RPM dropped from 6,600 to 5,700; however, the engine sound remained constant. The pilot retarded the throttle and then advanced the throttle forward. The engine RPM increased momentarily then dropped to about 5,000 RPM. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and performed a forced landing to a corn field. The pilot noted that the engine continued to run smoothly at the lower RPM, and at no time did the engine "sputter or cough." According to the pilot, the airplane had been operated about 270 hours. The airplane's engine, an Aero GT-1000, had been operated about 285 hours. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not revealed any catastrophic airframe or engine malfunctions. Additionally, the airplane's engine ran smoothly during a post accident test run performed by the pilot; however, examination of the propeller reduction gear box revealed that the steel cage of the sprague clutch bearing was "cracked and partially disintegrated." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61HS-2004-02-18), registration cancelled 2004-02-18, S/N 115A, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schwarz AVID AMPHIBIAN (AVID AMPHI) - Registry model: [Schwarz Henry E AVID AMPHIBIAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/schwarz-henry-e-avid-amphibian) (registry code 056229L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 115A - Airframe hours: 271 - Engines: Arrow GT-1000 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Henry E. Schwarz - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1999, 29 hours before - Departed: EZF - Airport: EZF, Shannon, runway 24, 2,910 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,015 total, 271 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EZF ## 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 20000622041279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000622041279A), Jun 22, 2000: Amtr AVIDAMPHIBIA, Fredericksburg, VA, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot adjusted the homebuilt airplane's propeller pitch and after a normal ground run-up he departed for a test flight. He stated that the takeoff was… 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.