Amateur-built AVID FLYER MK 4 accident near Waxhaw, North Carolina, March 26, 2012
On March 26, 2012 at about 6:22 pm local time, a amateur-built AVID FLYER MK 4, registered N61410, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Waxhaw, North Carolina (Jaars- Townsend Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2012 · about 6:22 pm local time
- Place
- Waxhaw, North Carolina · Jaars- Townsend Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER MK 4
- Registration
- N61410 · no longer on the register · serial 1414D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to several pilot-rated eyewitnesses, the airplane was about 30 feet above ground level in about a 30-degree nose-up attitude, while performing a go-around. The pitch attitude of the airplane decreased about treetop level, and one eyewitness stated that the airplane was in a near-vertical nose-down attitude just before entering a spin, followed by the sound of the impact. Another witness indicated that the engine maintained power throughout the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. While the airplane was equipped with a parachute system that was not armed by the pilot before flight, the low altitude at which the pilot lost control of the airplane would have made a successful deployment doubtful even with the system armed. A review of the pilot's medical history did not suggest impairment or incapacitation. It is likely that, considering the close proximity of the recorded groundspeed data to the published stall speed, that the airplane speed during the go-around decreased below the stall speed, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 265 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 219 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 19, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 128 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2011; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 2200A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FDW Winnsboro SC at 5:41 pm
- Destination: N52 Waxhaw NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,309 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from LKR, 11 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.
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.