Amateur-built Avid Flyer accident near Roche Harbor, Washington, September 28, 2003
On September 28, 2003 at about 9:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Avid Flyer, registered N6611, was substantially damaged in an accident near Roche Harbor, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A complete loss of power due to fuel starvation for undetermined reason(s).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 28, 2003 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Roche Harbor, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Avid Flyer
- Registration
- N6611 · no longer on the register · serial 209
- 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 he departed with a full load of fuel (22 gallons) and flew approximately 50 nautical miles to his destination. He parked the aircraft on a slope with the right wing lower than the left and returned to the aircraft two hours later to find the right wing tank full and the "presence" of gas in the left tank and no evidence of fuel leakage. He reported that the 65 horsepower Rotax engine consumed about 5 gallons/hour and that he anticipated the fuel equalizing between the two tanks after his departure. Shortly after takeoff the pilot noted that the fuel was not equalizing between the two tanks and decided to divert. The engine ceased operating shortly thereafter and, after attempts to trouble shoot and restart were unsuccessful, he ditched the aircraft near the shore. The pilot reported that upon beaching the aircraft the right wing was observed to have about 15 gallons of fuel including some water. The fuel selector was a simple "ON-OFF" control and the valve was found open by an FAA inspector who examined the aircraft after its recovery. The inspector found no evidence of any water related pre-impact mechanical malfunction within the engine, and reported finding both carburetor bowls filled with auto gas with one or two drops of water in each.
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: 130 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 10, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 237 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 9, 2003; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Bombardier/Rotax 582UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WA09 Roche Harbor WA at 8:50 pm
- Destination: S43 Snohomish WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from FHR, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.