Schwarz AVID AMPHIBIAN N61HS

Summary

On 22 June 2000 at about 19:30 local time, a Schwarz AVID AMPHIBIAN registered N61HS was involved in an accident near Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 June 2000 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Shannon (EZF)

Coordinates

38.2892, -77.4810

Aircraft

Schwarz AVID AMPHIBIAN

Registration

N61HS

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

NYC00LA176

1 person had minor injuries.

A failure of the propeller reduction gear assembly for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of thrust.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot adjusted the homebuilt airplane's propeller pitch and after a normal ground run-up he departed for a test flight. He stated that the takeoff was normal and the engine sounded 'smooth.' After reaching an altitude of about 300 to 400 feet (agl), the airplane experienced a sharp reduction in power. The RPM dropped from 6,600 to 5,700; however, the engine sound remained constant. The pilot retarded the throttle and then advanced the throttle forward. The engine RPM increased momentarily then dropped to about 5,000 RPM. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and performed a forced landing to a cornfield. Examination of the airplane did not revealed any catastrophic airframe or engine malfunctions. Additionally, the airplane's engine ran smoothly during a post accident test run performed by the pilot; however, examination of the propeller reduction gearbox revealed that the steel cage of the sprague clutch bearing was 'cracked and partially disintegrated.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.