# NTSB SEA85LA204: Welch Avid Flyer, N64LW, Bonner'S Ferry, ID, August 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1985, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Bonner'S Ferry, ID
- Coordinates: 48.750049, -116.509811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7500&lon=-116.5098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA204

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG SEIZED AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 350 FT AGL OVER THE END OF THE RWY. HE STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A MAXIMUM CLIMB WHEN THE ENG SEIZED & IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A POWER OFF STALL. HE RECOVERED FROM THE STALL, BUT THERE WERE TREES AHEAD. WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID THE OBSTACLES, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A SKID & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT HAD A 2 CYLINDER, 2 CYCLE, 43 HP ENG THAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH 2 CARBURETORS & A SINGLE IGNITION SYSTEM. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE MIXTURE FOR THE #1 CARBURETOR HAD BECOME LEAN WHICH ALLOWED THE #1 CYLINDER TO OVERHEAT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PISTON IN THE #1 CYLINDER SEIZED AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64LW-1994-08-09), registration cancelled 1994-08-09, S/N 137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WELCH AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Welch Lawrence Lee AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/welch-lawrence-lee-avid-flyer) (registry code 05613MU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 137
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: CUYUNA 430RR 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence L. Welch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 65S
- Airport: runway 20, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,802 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850828041719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850828041719A), Aug 28, 1985: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Bonners Ferry, ID, Substantial damage. After liftoff, engine quit. Damage to gear during off airport landing. Piston seized due to lean carburetor.

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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