N117DK

On May 11, 1998, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt Avid Mk. 4 Speedwing, N117DK, registered to a private individual, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed into a hayfield near Elberton, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Elbert County-Paz Field, Georgia, about 10 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated during climbout, at about 500 feet agl, the engine began to lose power. The pilot felt his only option was to try for a hayfield, but a steeper than expected upslope of the terrain and thickness of growth resulted in a firm touchdown that deformed the landing gear structure, broke two of the three wooden propeller blades, and caused the airplane to nose over.

Postcrash examination of the welded tube and fabric fuselage revealed longeron bending at the left landing gear strut attach point, as well as bending of both left wing struts. The powerplant, a two cylinder, two cycle design, Rotax 582, was inspected, with FAA oversight, for any precrash malfunctions. About 75% of the number one cylinder expansion chamber gasket was found to be blown out, with resultant loosening of the cylinder attach bolts.