Plane crash map Locate crash sites, wreckage and more

N125MZ accident description

Washington map... Washington list
Crash location 46.305556°N, 119.304167°W
Nearest city Richland, WA
46.285691°N, 119.284462°W
1.7 miles away
Tail number N125MZ
Accident date 12 Apr 2003
Aircraft type Avia Stroitel AC-5M
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On April 12, 2003, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, an Avia Stroitel AC-5M powered glider, N125MZ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at the Richland Airport (RLD), Richland, Washington. The private pilot, sole occupant and owner of the glider, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported "the takeoff on runway 1 was normal, but approximately two-thirds of the way down the runway, at approximately 150 feet above ground level, I noticed the engine 'over-revving' and the aircraft no longer climbing." The pilot reported that he failed to lower the nose to ensure proper airspeed in order to land straight ahead on runway 1. The pilot further stated that he made the wrong decision and turned right to land on the intersecting runway [runway 7], and during the turn "the airspeed was allowed to deteriorate until the right wing stalled." The airplane's right wing tip impacted the ground causing it to spin around 180 degrees, skidding backwards across a taxiway, and coming to rest in sandy soil.

The pilot reported that the tension on the propeller drive belts was checked during the aircraft preflight. The pilot also stated that the tension on the propeller drive belts "slipped" and caused a loss of thrust after takeoff. The pilot further reported that the reason for the drive belts slipping was not determined.

The pilot reported the glider had sustained damage to the right wing tip and the main gear. The bottom right front of the fuselage was scraped and cracked, the rear portion of the fuselage where it transitions with the vertical stabilizer was cracked approximately half-way through its circumference, and the tail wheel was crushed.

.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the failure of the propeller drive assembly. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall.

© 2009-2020 Lee C. Baker / Crosswind Software, LLC. For informational purposes only.