# NTSB SEA06CA094: Harold Vander Avid Flyer, N157VM, Miles City, MT, May 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2006, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Miles City, MT - Coordinates: 46.418609, -105.886665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4186&lon=-105.8867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63680/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA094 ## Probable cause Failure of the engine to propeller reduction gearbox for undetermined reasons. High vegetation was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - reduction gear assy - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The experimental amateur built airplane sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, approximately 250 feet above ground level (agl), the "reduction gear failed" and he was forced to land on a dirt road near the departure airstrip. During the landing, the airplane encountered tall vegetation and ground-looped resulting in substantial damage. Post accident inspection showed that the engine-to-propeller planetary style reduction gear housing was fractured. Further examination revealed that the center drive gear was damaged and heavy smearing was observed to the drive teeth. The reduction gear assembly was identified as a GRD 2000, manufactured by D&D Manufacturing. According to the pilot, D&D manufacturing is no longer in business. The pilot reported that he was not the aircraft's original owner/builder. The aircraft was powered by a 45-horsepower Cuyuna reciprocating gas engine. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2006, at about 1130 mountain daylight time, an Experimental Amateur Built Avid Flyer Bandit, N157VM, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing near the Sunday Creek Airpark, Miles City, Montana. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, approximately 250-feet above ground level (agl), the "reduction gear failed" and he was forced to land on a dirt road near the departure airstrip. During the landing, the airplane encountered tall vegetation and ground-looped resulting in substantial damage. Post accident inspection of the airplane by a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration and the owner of the aircraft showed that the engine-to-propeller planetary style reduction gear housing was fractured. Further examination revealed that the center drive gear was damaged and heavy smearing was observed to the drive teeth. The reduction gear assembly was identified as a GRD 2000, manufactured by D&D Manufacturing. According to the pilot, D&D manufacturing is no longer in business. The pilot reported that he was not the aircraft's original owner/builder. He purchased the aircraft in 2001. The aircraft was powered by a 45-horsepower Cuyuna reciprocating gas engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N157VM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N157VM-2018-10-22), registration cancelled 2018-10-22, S/N 0157, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Harold Vander Avid Flyer - Registry model: [Vander Molen Harold AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/vander-molen-harold-avid-flyer) (registry code 05613XT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 532](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-532) (registry code 55579, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0157 - Engines: Cuyuna 430RR/RF 45 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale L. Benti - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MT29, MILES CITY, MT - Destination: MT29, Miles City, MT - Airport: MT29, Sunday Creek Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,617 total, 47 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060514007029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060514007029A), May 14, 2006: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he departed his private strip at approximately 11:00 a.m. for a local flight. He traveled to the Sunday creek airport and did a touch… 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.