W. E. Simmons Max Air DRIFTER ARV 582 accident near Collington, North Carolina, July 22, 2001
On July 22, 2001 at about 11:45 am local time, a W. E. Simmons Max Air DRIFTER ARV 582, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N102WS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Collington, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The internal seizing of the engine assembly that resulted in a total loss of engine power during climb out.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2001 · about 11:45 am local time
- Place
- Collington, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- W. E. Simmons Max Air DRIFTER ARV 582, amateur-built
- Registration
- N102WS · registry record · serial S-5-91
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was on initial climb after a water takeoff when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot established a glide straight ahead. The pilot then turned the airplane hard to the left to avoid hitting a bridge. The pilot stated there was not enough altitude or airspeed to complete the turn and landing flare. The airplane struck the water while maneuvering for the forced landing. The examination of the recovered airplane disclosed that both wings had separated from the airframe. Water submersion and impact damage to the engine assembly prevented a functional examination. However, the subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the engine had seized and the internal components would not rotate. The pilot further reported that the engine had been overhauled once, but he could not recall the exact time of the overhaul, or total engine time.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 500 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 785 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582UL DCDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Collington NC at 11:43 am
- Destination: Collington NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,000 ft; a few clouds
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 11:44 am from KMQI, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL01LA088.