Summary
On June 21, 2008, a Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV (N6880L) was involved in an incident near Augusta, KS. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Failure of the engine cooling system's thermostat, causing the engine to overheat and seize. Contributing to the accident was the fence.
On June 21, 2008, approximately 0800 central daylight time, a Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV, N6880L, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a loss of power during a forced landing approach at Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU), Augusta, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The local flight originated at Augusta approximately 0730.
The pilot told an FAA inspector that the engine started overheating and he turned around and was returning to the airport. On approach at approximately 500 feet, the engine seized.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN08LA108. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6880L.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Failure of the engine cooling system's thermostat, causing the engine to overheat and seize. Contributing to the accident was the fence.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 21, 2008, approximately 0800 central daylight time, a Mercer Avid Flyer Mk IV, N6880L, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a loss of power during a forced landing approach at Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU), Augusta, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The local flight originated at Augusta approximately 0730.
The pilot told an FAA inspector that the engine started overheating and he turned around and was returning to the airport. On approach at approximately 500 feet, the engine seized. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field but the airplane landed hard on the terrain, bending the landing gear. It then slid 80 feet and struck a fence. Damage consisted of a wrinkled fuselage.
The pilot reported the reason the engine seized was due to a failed thermostat, causing the engine to overheat.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN08LA108