Amateur-built D75-N1 accident near Avis, Pennsylvania, May 26, 2003
On May 26, 2003 at about 6:50 pm local time, a amateur-built D75-N1, registered N59768, was substantially damaged in an accident near Avis, Pennsylvania. 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
A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. A factor in this accident were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 2003 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Avis, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built D75-N1
- Registration
- N59768 · registry record · serial 75-3837
- 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 the airplane was in cruise flight when he reduced the throttle to idle, and began a gradual descent to an altitude of about 500 feet. At that time, the pilot advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The engine never developed more than a "fast idle" and the pilot was unable to restore engine power. The pilot located a corn field and performed an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. A weather observation reported at an airport about 20 miles east of the accident site, included a temperature and dew point of 62 and 55 degrees F; respectively. According to an FAA carburetor icing probability chart, the weather conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise speed, or serious icing at glide power.
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: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,799 hours in all; 825 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 2,692 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 19, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 785 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 2002; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W670 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LHV Lock Haven PA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: P96 Jersey Shore PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,400 ft; scat at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 7:06 pm from IPT, 20 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.