Amateur-built BD-5 accident near Goodyear, Arizona, May 29, 2004
On May 29, 2004 at about 6:20 pm local time, a amateur-built BD-5, registered N501BD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goodyear, Arizona. It was a personal 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
The overheating and failure of the number 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during descent.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2004 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Goodyear, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BD-5
- Registration
- N501BD · registry record · serial 1039
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The single-engine experimental airplane collided with sagebrush growing on an abandoned airport during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The amateur-built airplane utilized a Honda EB-3 engine that was mounted at the rear of the airplane. Post-accident examination of the engine revealed the number 4 connecting rod had failed, and was discolored black, indicative of an overheating. The crankshaft throw for the number 4 connecting rod was also discolored black. No obstructions or anomalies with the lubrication system could be found.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,300 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 7,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 17, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 159 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 29, 2004; 3.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 573 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Honda EB-3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 4:40 pm
- Destination: GYR Goodyear AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 1:47 am from GYR, 7 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.
Other NTSB records under N501BD 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.