# NTSB SEA03LA061: Avia Stroitel AC-5M, N125MZ, Richland, WA, April 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2003, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Richland, WA - Coordinates: 46.305557, -119.304168 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3056&lon=-119.3042&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 September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56807/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the failure of the propeller drive assembly. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - propeller system/drive assembly - slipped (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The takeoff was normal until two-thirds of the way down the runway, at approximately 150 feet above ground level, the tension on the propeller drive belts slipped resulting in a loss of power. The pilot elected to make a right turn to land on an intersecting runway; however, the pilot's failure to lower the nose resulted in the loss of airspeed and the right wing stalling. The aircraft impacted the ground with its right wing tip, spun around 180 degrees, skidded backwards across a taxiway, and came to rest in sandy soil. The reason for the slippage of the drive belts was not determined. . ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2003, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, an Avia Stroitel AC-5M powered glider, N125MZ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at the Richland Airport (RLD), Richland, Washington. The private pilot, sole occupant and owner of the glider, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported "the takeoff on runway 1 was normal, but approximately two-thirds of the way down the runway, at approximately 150 feet above ground level, I noticed the engine 'over-revving' and the aircraft no longer climbing." The pilot reported that he failed to lower the nose to ensure proper airspeed in order to land straight ahead on runway 1. The pilot further stated that he made the wrong decision and turned right to land on the intersecting runway [runway 7], and during the turn "the airspeed was allowed to deteriorate until the right wing stalled." The airplane's right wing tip impacted the ground causing it to spin around 180 degrees, skidding backwards across a taxiway, and coming to rest in sandy soil. The pilot reported that the tension on the propeller drive belts was checked during the aircraft preflight. The pilot also stated that the tension on the propeller drive belts "slipped" and caused a loss of thrust after takeoff. The pilot further reported that the reason for the drive belts slipping was not determined. The pilot reported the glider had sustained damage to the right wing tip and the main gear. The bottom right front of the fuselage was scraped and cracked, the rear portion of the fuselage where it transitions with the vertical stabilizer was cracked approximately half-way through its circumference, and the tail wheel was crushed. . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N125MZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N125MZ), registered now, S/N 005, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIA STROITEL AC-5M - Registry model: [Avia Stroitel AC-5M](https://openairdocs.org/model/avia-stroitel-ac-5m) (registry code 05610QZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 005 - Airframe hours: 8 - Engines: Compact Radial Engines MZ 35 25 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene A. Hess - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2002, 2 hours before - Departed: RLD, Richland, WA - Destination: RLD, Richland, WA - Airport: RLD, Richland Airport, runway 1, 3,999 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review June 20, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 440 total, 6 in this make and model, 379 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20030412004569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030412004569A), Apr 12, 2003: Amtr AC5M, Richland, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed runway 01 krld, lost thrust at about 100 feet AGL. Pilot attempted turn to land on cross runway, but lost altitude and struck right… 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.