# NTSB SEA89LA073: Donner/Parton Avid Flyer, N4409D, Stanwood, WA, April 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1989, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Stanwood, WA
- Coordinates: 48.209434, -122.280021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.2094&lon=-122.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA073

## Probable cause

AN IGNITION LEAD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM ONE CYLINDER, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL POWER LOSS.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN IN THE TOUCHDOWN AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,ignition lead - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER FROM ONE OF THE CYLINDERS OF THE AIRCRAFT'S TWO CYLINDER ENGINE. WITH INSUFFICIENT POWER TO CONTINUE FLIGHT, THE PILOT TRIED TO LAND IN A SOD FIELD. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A PLOWED FIELD, SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA, AND NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG LEADS MAY HAVE BECOME DISCONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4409D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4409D-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 13, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONNER/PARTON AVID FLYER
- Registry model: [Donner/Parton AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/donner-parton-avid-flyer) (registry code 056135J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cuyuna ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cuyuna-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 19050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 13
- Airframe hours: 97
- Engines: CUYUNA 430R 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Terry L. Botteron
- Registered owner: Terry L Botteron
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: S88, ARLINGTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 606 total, 39 in this make and model, 493 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890420009539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890420009539A), Apr 20, 1989: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Stanwood, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power in one of the two engine cylinders. Nosed over in a plowed field just inches short of grass area.

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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