Amateur-built Harmon Rocket accident near Troutdale, Oregon, January 31, 2007
On January 31, 2007 at about 6:10 pm local time, a amateur-built Harmon Rocket, registered N141RH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Troutdale, Oregon (Portland-Troutdale 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 power for undetermined reasons just as the aircraft was maneuvering to enter the downwind for landing. The absence of a suitable landing location was a factor in the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 31, 2007 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Troutdale, Oregon · Portland-Troutdale · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Harmon Rocket
- Registration
- N141RH · no longer on the register · serial 36
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft's engine started to run rough almost immediately after takeoff, but after switching fuel tanks and turning the boost pump on, the pilot was able to get it to run smoothly. Since he did not want to make his first landing in the recently purchased aircraft at the small field that he just departed from, he decided to fly to a larger airport that he thought was a little over five minutes away. As he neared the airport, the engine began to run only intermittently, and eventually stopped running altogether. Because he was unable to reach the airport, the pilot attempted a forced landing on a residential street. During the landing sequence the aircraft experienced a collapse of the main landing gear, and sustained further damage when it contacted the curb of the street. A post-accident inspection was unable to determine the cause of the power loss.
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: 1,150 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 1,150 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 106 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 1, 2006
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sandy OR at 5:50 pm
- Destination: KTTD Troutdale OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.