Summary
On October 30, 1996, a Leibert BD-5B (N169DS) was involved in an accident near Phoenix, AZ. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb, due to an undetermined cooling system malfunction. A related factor was: soft terrain in the forced landing area.
On October 30, 1996, at 1040 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Leibert BD-5B, N169DS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt near the Williams Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb while the pilot was performing touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.
After the loss of engine power the aircraft attempted to land in flat desert terrain and the landing gear was ripped out of the airplane as it touched down in the soft soil.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA028. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N169DS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb, due to an undetermined cooling system malfunction. A related factor was: soft terrain in the forced landing area.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 30, 1996, at 1040 hours mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Leibert BD-5B, N169DS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt near the Williams Gateway Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb while the pilot was performing touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.
After the loss of engine power the aircraft attempted to land in flat desert terrain and the landing gear was ripped out of the airplane as it touched down in the soft soil. The aircraft then cart-wheeled coming to rest about 1 1/2 miles west of the air traffic control tower. Responding bystanders and fire personnel stated that fuel was leaking from the aircraft as they arrived. During his rescue and extrication from the aircraft, the pilot told the bystanders that the Rotax engine overheated and quit.
A responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that on his arrival several hours after the accident, the coolant temperature gage was pegged above the redline limit. The inspector reported that the cylinder interiors exhibited evidence of high heat. No determination was made regarding the cooling system.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA028