Haering Avid Flyer AVID FLYER N511AF

Summary

On 1 August 1999 at about 00:30 local time, a Haering Avid Flyer AVID FLYER registered N511AF was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 August 1999 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Sleepers Airstrip

Coordinates

61.1593, -149.9892

Aircraft

Haering Avid Flyer AVID FLYER

Registration

N511AF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC99LA101

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to blockage of the airplane fuel system, a delamination of the fiberglass fuel tanks, and the usage of an improper fuel. A factor associated with the accident was the failure of the kit manufacturer to inform the pilot/owner against the usage of alcohol based fuel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo commercial pilot reported that during cruise flight the engine began to run rough, and lose power. He noted that for a short time, he was able to restore partial engine power by actuating the engine fuel primer. While attempting to land on a small, private airstrip, all engine power was lost, and the airplane collided with a stand of trees. An examination of the interior of the fiberglass fuel tanks revealed delamination of the resin material within the tank, and both main fuel tank outlets were blocked with a brown, plastic-like material. Examination of both in-line wing fuel filters revealed the presence of the same material found in the main fuel tanks. The pilot/owner stated that in the past, he had operated the airplane for about 40 hours using an alcohol based fuel. AVID Aircraft service letter number 03, dated 5/91, covering all AVID Flyer models, stipulates that a placard be placed near the filler neck stating, in part: 'NO ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS. These fuels may cause deterioration of the fiberglass tanks or carburetor parts.' The pilot/owner stated that since he has owned the airplane, he has not received any warnings or directives concerning the use of alcohol based fuels directly from the manufacture of the airplane kit, AVID Aircraft, Inc.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.