Amateur-built AVID FLYER accident near Poulsbo, Washington, June 23, 1999
On June 23, 1999, a amateur-built AVID FLYER, registered N700RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Poulsbo, Washington. 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
Engine seizing due to failure of main bearing assemblies. Factors include foreign material in the labyrinth sleeve, and a stall encountered while the pilot was attempting his emergency landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 1999
- Place
- Poulsbo, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER
- Registration
- N700RM · registry record · serial 711
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Rotax engine in the amateur-built airplane seized while in flight. The pilot performed an emergency landing, with the airplane sustaining substantial damage. NTSB examination of the crankshaft, bearings and rods, and associated componentry, found no evidence of a general lack of lubrication. The labyrinth sleeve, located between the two front (PTO, or power takeoff end) bearings showed evidence of circular scoring and material transfer contact between the bore of the sleeve and the crankshaft surface, similar to that which would occur with foreign matter in the clearance space between the sleeve and crankshaft. A portion of what appeared to be a melted bearing retainer ring was found in one bearing. The flat face on the magneto side of the labyrinth sleeve was darkened and contained foreign material deposits which appeared similar in color and nature to the material of the bearing retainer ring. The PTO side of the labyrinth sleeve was configured with a ring at the inner and outer diameters, with a hollowed out region in between. The hollow contained foreign material deposits, as did the surface of the inner diameter ring. Little discoloration was noted on the PTO side of the labyrinth sleeve. The bore of the labyrinth ring showed a large amount of circumferential scoring and material transfer. The corresponding area on the surface of the crankshaft contained similar scoring and material transfer, consistent with contact between these two surfaces. The ball bearings in both of the PTO bearing assemblies were unevenly spaced, indicating that their retainer rings were either lost or somehow ineffective in keeping the balls evenly spaced.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 929 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 836 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 608 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 1999; 3 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PWT Bremerton WA at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 13 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KPW
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.