# NTSB SEA82DA103: Coot Amphibian, N9931X, Bellingham, WA, July 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1982, 09:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Bellingham, WA
- Coordinates: 48.729351, -122.480438 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7294&lon=-122.4804&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 July 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA103

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON A LOCAL TEST FLIGHT FOLLOWING A NEW ENGINE INSTALLATION. THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND FLIGHT FOR THIS HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT. DURING CLIMB-OUT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR A NORMAL RUNWAY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITHIN THE AIRPORT BOUNDARIES, BUT RECEIVED HULL DAMAGE ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THE POWER LOSS WAS TRACED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FOULED CABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller control,cable - inoperative (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9931X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: COOT AMPHIBIAN
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: A-100
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Norman H. Hoffar
- Registered owner: David L. Empey
- Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Destination: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA
- Airport: BLI, Bellingham International, runway 16, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 255 total, 4 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 138 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLI

## 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 19820708026349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820708026349A), Jul 8, 1982: Amtrta COOTAMPH1B1B, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Crash landed on rough ground new runway. No room to maneuver. Propeller governor malfunction.

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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