Palen Avro-504K accident near Rhinebeck, New York, June 4, 2003
On June 4, 2003 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Palen Avro-504K, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N4929, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rhinebeck, New York (Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome 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
A total loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2003 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Rhinebeck, New York · Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Palen Avro-504K, amateur-built
- Registration
- N4929 · registry record · serial HAC1
- 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, about 50 feet agl, the engine began to slowly lose power. The pilot attempted to fly a traffic pattern back to the runway, but on a crosswind leg, the engine lost all power. He then performed a forced landing to a parking lot and impacted terrain. The airplane was powered by a Le Rhone Type J, nine-cylinder rotary engine; which was manufactured about 1914. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. However, the inspector was unable to rotate the propeller due to cylinder impact damage. Fuel remained in the airplane, and was absent of debris.
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
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,614 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 4,479 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 6, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 188 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 17, 2002; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,829 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Le Rhone Type J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NY94 Rhinebeck NY at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway N, 2,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from POU, 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.
Other NTSB records under N4929 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.