N837TR

On August 16, 2002, at 0748 pacific daylight time, a Reed Avid Commuter experimental airplane, N837TR, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Goffs, California. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and a weather briefing was received for the personal cross-country flight that originated at the Mesquite Airport (67L), near Mesquite, Nevada, at 0638. The flight was destined for the Ramona Airport (RNM), near Ramona, California.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the 2-cylinder liquid cooled Rotax 582 engine lost power during cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl. The pilot initiated an emergency descent to very rough and uneven terrain while he made a distress call. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll, coming to rest in the inverted position.

The flight crew of American Airlines flight (flight 106) received the distress call and relayed the position and status of the airplane to the nearest flight service station, who in turn initiated search and rescue activities. A California Highway Patrol helicopter located the wreckage 10 miles north of the Goffs VOR, and rescued the pilot.

The 269-hour pilot added that both wings were destroyed and the fuselage sustained major structural damage. The airframe and engine had accumulated a total of 161 hours.

A post-accident examination of the Rotax engine was performed by the pilot. The pilot was able to establish control continuity to the carburetor as well as electrical continuity. The engine was started using the airplane's fuel system. The engine ran for about 30 minutes at different power settings and the pilot reported that "it never skipped a beat!"

The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.