# NTSB NYC91DNC05: Homebuilt Avid Flyer, N91JK, Keene, NH, September 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1991, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Keene, NH
- Location: 42.8984° N, 72.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DILLANT/HOPKINS (EEN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8984&lon=-72.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91DNC05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91DNC05

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF AND STRUCK THE GROUND.  HE THEN PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE AIRPLANE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE AND DISASSEMBLE IT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION OF THE NTSB/FAA. THE PILOT SAID THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS CAUSED BY A TAILWHEEL STRING COMING DISCONNECTED WHILE TAXIING ONTO THE RUNWAY.  THE FAA REPORT STATED THEY COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE THAT A DISCONNECTED TAILWHEEL SPRING WOULD AFFECT THE FLIGHT CONTROLS IN FLIGHT.  THE PILOT LISTED HIS TOTAL TIME AS 124 HOURS WITH 20 HOURS IN MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91JK-1993-06-11), registration cancelled 1993-06-11, S/N 306 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Kohler Joseph T AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/kohler-joseph-t-avid-flyer) (registry code 056181Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 306
- Airframe hours: 35
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph T. Kohler
- Registered owner: Joseph T. Kohler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: EEN, Dillant-Hopkins, runway 32, 3,299 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 124 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910906038649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910906038649A), Sep 6, 1991: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Keene, NH, Substantial damage. Lost control after liftoff and crashed. Blamed tail wheel jammed due lost spring but not verified.

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.

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