NTSB Factual Report

On October 14, 2010, at 1140 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Mischke BD-5D, N525BD, impacted the approach end of runway 22 at Skagit Regional Airport, Burlington, Washington. The commercial pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight.

The pilot submitted a written statement following the accident. After departing runway 10, the airplane rotated at 90 miles per hour (mph), he retracted the landing gear, and accelerated the airplane to 140 mph while climbing to 50 to 75 feet above ground level. The engine revolutions per minute (rpm) increased, then decreased from 9,000 to about 7,000, and he felt a loss of thrust in the airplane. He retarded the throttle and attempted an emergency landing on runway 22. The airplane landed hard short of the runway, with the landing gear retracted.

The pilot reported that the airplane was powered by a Yamaha Nytro snowmobile engine rated at 130 horsepower at 10,000 rpm. The engine ran at 8,000 rpm with the propeller at 4,000 rpm. Examination of the drive system revealed that the sprag clutch that connected the drive system had failed and the engine lost thrust.

A Dynon Avionics EFIS-D10A unit was recovered from the airplane and sent to the Safety Board Recorder Laboratory. Information regarding the flight track, ground, and altitude were obtained from the unit. Because the unit did not have a recent software upgrade, no additional information was recorded.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the sprag clutch during takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine thrust.