Amateur-built BD-5 accident near Mount Airy, North Carolina, March 14, 2013
On March 14, 2013 at about 11:15 pm local time, a amateur-built BD-5, registered N30BA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mount Airy, North Carolina (Mount Airy/Surry County Arpt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadvertent closing of the engine choke. Contributing to the accident was the improper rigging of the engine choke cable.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 2013 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Airy, North Carolina · Mount Airy/Surry County Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BD-5
- Registration
- N30BA · no longer on the register · serial NBA-19
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he intended to perform a flyby before landing. As he approached the runway about 50 feet above ground level, the pilot advanced the throttle to full; however, the engine immediately stopped. He responded by pitching the airplane up and to the right. The airplane then entered a steep left turn. The airspeed decreased to 100 mph, and the airplane started to vibrate, so the pilot quickly leveled the wings and pitched downward to prevent the airplane from entering a stall. The pilot continued to fly a wings-level descent until the airplane impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine choke cable was rigged backwards; therefore, pulling the choke knob out opened the choke valve and pushing it in closed it. The choke knob, which is located directly behind the pilot's head, was found pushed in during postaccident examination. Therefore, it was likely that the pilot's head contacted the choke while he was responding to the loss of engine power, which resulted in a closed choke and a corresponding total loss of engine power. The experimental amateur-built airplane was equipped with an automobile engine and was never certified as airworthy; therefore, it was never issued an airworthiness certificate.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Unintentional use/operation
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all
- Last flight review: January 21, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 830 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda Civic (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SVH Statesville NC at 11:00 pm
- Destination: MWK Mount Airy NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 4,301 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:35 pm from MWK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on July 3, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record-faa (Throttle Knob) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Retention / Release of Wreckage Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for Record (Witness Statement) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photograph #1: Front View of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photograph #2: Front View of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photograph #3: View of Empennage (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photograph #4: Choke Knob (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.