Palen AVRO-504K accident near Rhinebeck, New York, October 17, 2009
On October 17, 2009 at about 7:05 pm local time, a Palen AVRO-504K, registered N4929, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck Airport). It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the in-flight separation of the number 3 cylinder valve rocker arm attachment hardware. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance inspection of the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 2009 · about 7:05 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Palen AVRO-504K
- Registration
- N4929 · registry record · serial HAC1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing an aerial demonstration for spectators. Shortly after takeoff, he heard a “thump,” the engine lost power, and he performed a forced landing in trees. Post-accident inspection of the wreckage revealed a keeper and cotter pin that connects the push rod to the number 3 cylinder valve rocker arm was missing. The high-tension spark plug lead to the number 5 cylinder was severed. The pilot, who also maintains the aircraft, believes the flailing spark plug lead flew into the commutator ring, shorting out other cylinders and leading to a total power loss. The missing hardware from the number 3 cylinder was never recovered. According to maintenance records, the airplane received a condition inspection on September 22, 2009. During that inspection, the number 5 cylinder was removed for repair and reinstalled, and the other rocker arms and valve springs were inspected.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Scheduled maint checks › Inadequate inspection
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,200 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 63 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 4,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 22, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 207 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 22, 2009; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,829 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lerhone TYPE C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY94 Rhinebeck NY at 7:05 pm
- Destination: NY94 Rhinebeck NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from POU, 20 miles away
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 N4929 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.