Miller AVID FLYER accident near Susanville, California, October 15, 2011

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane a few months before the accident and had been performing repairs and modifications to the engine’s fuel delivery system. He performed several ground runs and taxi tests prior to the accident; the pilot’s first flight in the airplane took place on the day of the accident and lasted about 1 hour. About 30 minutes later, during the initial climb-out on the second flight, the engine began to vibrate and lose power. The propeller then stopped rotating and the pilot performed a forced landing into a wooded area. During the postaccident examination, the engine was successfully started and operated. The pilot's installation of paper-element fuel filters was contrary to the engine manufacturer’s recommendations; however, according to the engine manufacturer, it is unlikely that this installation would have resulted in the loss of power. The fuel pump was located on the engine mount, just above the engine, and, while this location could potentially make it prone to excessive heat and vibration, it had been so positioned for many flight hours prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

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.