Miller AVID FLYER N4077B

Summary

On 15 October 2011 at about 18:30 local time, a Miller AVID FLYER registered N4077B was involved in an accident near Susanville, California, 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

15 October 2011 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Susanville, California, United States

Nearest airport

Susanville (1Q2)

Coordinates

40.6503, -120.7686

Aircraft

Miller AVID FLYER

Registration

N4077B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Susanville → Susanville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA013

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power during the takeoff climb for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane a few months before the accident and had been performing repairs and modifications to the engine’s fuel delivery system. He performed several ground runs and taxi tests prior to the accident; the pilot’s first flight in the airplane took place on the day of the accident and lasted about 1 hour. About 30 minutes later, during the initial climb-out on the second flight, the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The propeller then stopped rotating and the pilot performed a forced landing into a wooded area. During the postaccident examination, the engine was successfully started and operated. The pilot's installation of paper-element fuel filters was contrary to the engine manufacturer’s recommendations; however, according to the engine manufacturer, it is unlikely that this installation would have resulted in the loss of power. The fuel pump was located on the engine mount, just above the engine, and, while this location could potentially make it prone to excessive heat and vibration, it had been so positioned for many flight hours prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.