Smith AVID STOL HAULER N790GS

Summary

On 8 July 1999 at about 03:00 local time, a Smith AVID STOL HAULER registered N790GS was involved in an accident near S. Lake Tahoe, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 July 1999 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

S. Lake Tahoe, California, United States

Nearest airport

South Lake Tahoe (TVL)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Smith AVID STOL HAULER

Registration

N790GS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

LAX99LA246

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the pilot was returning to the airport to land, a loss of engine power was experienced. An unsuccessful attempt was made to restart the engine, and an off-field landing was made. The pilot said that he was slow during the turn from base to final and the airplane entered a high descent rate, which culminated in a hard touchdown. No discrepancies were noted with the instruments during the flight by the pilot. An inspection of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane had not flown since 1996. In 1997, the airplane had been destroyed in a hangar roof cave-in, and rebuilt. It was noted that the airplane had not received a Condition Inspection since the Special Airworthiness Certificate and Operating Limitations were issued on September 14, 1995. The engine manufacturer recommends an engine inspection after 12 months of non-usage, and no such inspection was accomplished. Examination of the airplane revealed fuel in the tanks and sufficient electrical energy in the battery to run the electronic ignition. The fuel pump activated when placed in the ON position. No mechanical malfunctions were found during a teardown of the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.