Amateur-built BD accident near Greenfield, California, April 7, 2003
On April 7, 2003 at about 10:50 pm local time, a amateur-built BD, registered N4365K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Greenfield, California (Metz airport). 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
The loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2003 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Greenfield, California · Metz · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BD
- Registration
- N4365K · no longer on the register · serial BD-001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that as he was returning to the airport, the engine lost power. He applied carburetor heat, and the engine power increased for about 30 seconds, then lost power again. This series of power loss/restoration happened three times. The engine did not cough, sputter, or make any metallic sounds. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane collided with power lines. The airplane came to rest vertically along side of agricultural shipping containers. An NTSB investigator examined the airplane, and selected the right main tank on the fuel selector valve. Recovery personnel plumbed a remote fuel tank into the right main tank fuel line. They bled the fuel system, and drained fuel into a clear glass bottle. The investigator observed no solid contaminants or water in the drained fuel. He detected no loose fuel lines, and observed no fuel stains or leaks. He blew into the vent line from the header tank, and uncontaminated fuel exited through the other end of the tube. The wreckage was secured to a trailer, and the engine was started. The rpm was increased to 1,800. A magneto check was performed, and the investigator observed a smooth 50-rpm drop on each magneto. The engine idled at 550 rpm.
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: 188 hours in all; 17 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 98 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 3, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 628 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2002; 70 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O 235-C1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3CA7 Greenfield CA at 9:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,500 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from SNS, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.