Amateur-built Avid Aerobat accident near Chesapeake, Virginia, July 13, 2002
On July 13, 2002 at about 10:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Avid Aerobat, registered N11BV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chesapeake, Virginia. 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
A total loss of engine power due to a seized cylinder, and the pilot's improper decision to conduct the flight with a known deficiency to the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2002 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chesapeake, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Avid Aerobat
- Registration
- N11BV · no longer on the register · serial 780
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, the amateur built airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a tree. The airplane was equipped with an uncertificated , 2-cylinder Rotax engine. The pilot additionally stated that the engine had been previously installed in another airplane, where it also experienced a seizure, and that prior to the accident flight, the engine had undergone a "condition inspection." A post-accident engine examination revealed "scuffing" on the number one cylinder. The engine manufacturer operating manual stated in part, 'This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage! ...Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made, after sudden engine stoppage.'
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: 555 hours in all; 37 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 510 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 24, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 12, 2002; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVG Chesapeake VA at 10:28 pm
- Destination: SFQ Suffolk VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from ORF, 10 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.