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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2004 · about 6:20 pm local time · cases in 2004
- 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
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N501BD on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Honda EB-3 · as the NTSB recorded it
- Van Nuys Airport · departed from
- Phoenix Goodyear Airport · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,985 since 1982 · 466 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,435 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N501BD 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/LAX04LA229.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.