NTSB Factual Report

On December 30, 2006, approximately 0950 Pacific standard time, an experimental Tessier Avid Flyer impacted the terrain during an attempted engine-out landing about one mile west of Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark, Hillsboro, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Portland-Hillsboro Airport about 12 minutes prior to the accident, and was en route to Newberg, Oregon, was flying in an area with a solid undercast of fog.

According to family members, the pilot and his wife were planning on meeting other family members in Newberg for lunch. He and his wife left their home about the same time, but she planned to drive to Newberg, and he planned on flying there. While driving to Newberg, the pilot's wife called him by cell phone to advise him that as she progressed toward Newberg she was encountering lots of thick fog. According to the controller at the Hillsboro Tower, the pilot departed Hillsboro Airport at 0938, and about seven minutes later reported that he was over Twin Oaks Airpark, and was trapped over a fog layer. He also reported that his engine was starting to lose power, and that he was going to attempt to make it back to Hillsboro Airport. About 70 seconds after the first transmission, the pilot reported that his engine had quit, and that he was "going down." The aircraft then descended through the fog and collided with the terrain. Because of the dense fog in the area, there were no witnesses to the ground impact.

The investigation revealed that according to the DOT/FAA/CT-82/44 Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, that the pilot was operating in an ambient environment where serious carburetor icing could be expected to occur at both glide and cruise power (see Weather Information). The post accident inspection of the aircraft determined that there were no indications of any anomalies or shortcomings in the carburetor heat system.

The Portland-Hillsboro Airport was reporting weather at 0953 as clear with 9 miles visibility. The temperature was 0 degrees C. The wind was calm.

A further investigation revealed that the pilot had been taking medication for control of pain, and that he did not have a current FAA medical certificate. A forensic toxicology examination of specimens from the pilot determined that his blood contained 0.024 ug/ml of Codeine, 1.518 ug/ml of Tramadol, and a detectable level of Bisoprolol. The same examination determined that his urine contained 11.096 ug/ml of Codeine, 0.375 ug/ml of Morphine, and detectable levels of Bisoprolol, Tramadol, and Ibuprofen.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during maneuvering flight due to carburetor icing, and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors were the ambient weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing and fog.