Amateur-built AVID FLYER accident near Hitchcock, Texas, September 3, 2009
On September 3, 2009 at about 6:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AVID FLYER, registered N583AF, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hitchcock, Texas (Johnnie Volk Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2009 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hitchcock, Texas · Johnnie Volk Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER
- Registration
- N583AF · no longer on the register · serial 993195MK4
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff the airplane's engine experienced a complete loss of power. With trees straight ahead, the pilot elected to turn left towards a clearing. Unable to reach the clearing, the airplane impacted trees and, subsequently, the ground. The airplane came to rest in a nose-down position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot further reported that prior to takeoff he had performed a preflight inspection and verified sufficient fuel and oil for the flight. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane's left wing and fuselage had sustained structural damage. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,020 hours in all; 978 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,592 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 3, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 37TE Hitchcock TX
- Destination: 37TE Hitchcock TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 1,800 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N583AF the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.