Location: Angier, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA19LA159
Date & Time: April 27, 2019, 15:00 Local
Registration: N61PG
Aircraft: Zenair Zodiac CH601
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
About 10 nautical miles from the destination during a cross-country flight, the airplane's engine began to run rough, cut in and out, and surge. The pilot checked the header fuel tank level and noted that it was nearly full, and he activated the electrically driven fuel pump, but the engine issues continued. The airplane continued to lose altitude and the engine continued to run rough; about 1,000 ft above the ground and about two nautical miles from the destination airport, the pilot decided to reduce engine power to idle and complete a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a dirt pile and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wings.
Fuel was found in the bowls of both carburetors and in both wing tanks and the header tank. Examination of the engine found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and when the engine was test run from an external fuel source using the engine-driven fuel pump, it started and produced power at multiple power settings.
Given the presence of fuel and the lack of anomalies found during the postaccident engine test run, it is possible that the fuel supply to the engine was partially interrupted, which resulted in the engine continuing to run rough to the extent that maintaining altitude was not possible; however, the reason for the interruption of the fuel supply could not be determined.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A partial loss of engine power due to partial interruption of the fuel supply for undetermined reasons.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Malfunction
Not determined (general) - Unknown/Not determined
Factual Information
On April 27, 2019, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HDS, N61PG, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power about one mile from Fuquay/Angier Field Airport (NC78), Angier, North Carolina. The sport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Gilliam-McConnell Airfield (BQ1), Carthage, North Carolina about 1415, and was destined for NC78.
The pilot reported that he departed BQ1 with about 15 gallons of fuel onboard and proceeded enroute without issue, until about 10 miles from his destination, where the engine "stumbled/stuttered briefly and then resumed running normally." About one or two minutes later, the engine again started to run rough, surge, and cut in and out. The pilot checked the fuel level of the header tank, which indicated it was nearly full, and he turned the electric fuel pump on, in case there was an issue with the engine driven fuel pump. He also observed the engine instruments which all appeared to be normal; however, the engine was "losing more and more power" and the airplane continued to lose altitude. For the remainder of the flight, the engine continued to run rough, and would continue to momentarily "cut out", but the engine did not stop completely.
As the airplane approached about 1,000 ft above ground level, about two miles from NC78, the pilot decided to pull the throttle to idle and approached a field to complete an off-airport landing. The airplane touched down in a rough farm field and during the landing roll, it impacted a pile of dirt and nosed over.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen records, the pilot held a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for airplane single-engine land. He did not hold a medical certificate as he was operating under sport pilot rules. He reported that his most recent flight review was in February 2019 and he had accumulated 337 total flight hours, 53 hours of which were in the accident airplane.
According to FAA-airworthiness and airplane maintenance records, the single-engine low-wing airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine, that drove a three-blade fixed-pitch propeller. According to airplane logbook entries, an annual condition inspection was completed in December 2018. The airplane and engine had accumulated 723.9 hours of total flight time at the time of the accident.
According to the pilot, the airplane's fuel system contained two 8-gallon wing tanks that fed into one 8-gallon header tank that supplied fuel to the dual carburetors on the engine. A sight gauge mounted on the instrument panel was used to determine how much fuel was contained in the header tank; when the fuel level dropped below about 5 gallons, the pilot could select an electrical switch in the cockpit to transfer fuel from either wing tank via electric automotive fuel pumps installed in each wing tank. Filling the header tank was required about every 25-30 minutes. There were also two additional fuel pumps that supplied fuel to the engine from the header tank; one mechanically driven by the engine and one electrically driven.
The pilot reported that about 10 minutes prior to the engine starting to run rough, he had refilled the header tank from the left wing. He added that when the engine began to run rough, he turned on the electric fuel pump that supported the fuel delivery from the header tank to the engine. He reported that he utilized high octane-93 automotive fuel as per engine manufacturer recommendations and discovered no debris or water in the fuel prior to or after the accident.
At 1500, the weather conditions reported at Harnett Regional Jetport Airport (HRJ), Erwin, North Carolina, 10 miles south of the accident site were, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, wind 240° at 6 knots, temperature 24°C, dew point 2°C, and barometric pressure of 29.91 inches of mercury. According to an FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart accounting for the weather conditions about
the time of the accident, the engine was not at risk for carburetor icing at glide or cruise power.
According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane at a recovery facility 3 days after the accident, the fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. Both carburetors had fuel in their respective bowls, and fuel was present in both wing tanks and the header tank. The fuel was absent of debris or water contamination.
The engine was further examined about three months after the accident by a representative from the engine manufacturer, who was overseen by an FAA inspector. The airplane's engine-driven fuel pump and fuel lines leading to the carburetors did not contain any remnants of fuel. The engine's spark, compression, and continuity were evaluated by performing an engine test run.
The engine started and operated without issue at multiple power settings when fuel was supplied to the carburetors via the engine-driven fuel pump from an external fuel source. It was not possible to utilize the airplane's existing fuel supply system, due to the damage sustained in the accident. Photographs of the fuel filters provided by the pilot showed no debris or obstruction.
History of Flight
Enroute-cruise Loss of engine power (partial) (Defining event)
Enroute-cruise Off-field or emergency landing
Landing-flare/touchdown Nose over/nose down
Pilot Information
Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 67,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: February 28, 2019
Flight Time: 337 hours (Total, all aircraft), 53 hours (Total, this make and model), 312 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Zenair
Registration: N61PG
Model/Series: Zodiac CH601 HDS
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental light sport (Special)
Serial Number: 63888
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 11, 2018 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 723.9 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: 912 ULS
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHRJ,201 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 15:00 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 180°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Non
e Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No
Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Carthage, NC (BQ1)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Fuquay/Angier, NC (NC78)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 14:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Fuquay/Angier Field NC78
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1070 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Rough
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 35.392501,-78.706665(est)
Location: Angier, NC
Accident Number: ERA19LA159
Date & Time: 04/27/2019, 1500 EDT
Registration: N61PG
Aircraft: Zenair Zodiac CH601
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On April 27, 2019, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zodiac CH 601 HDS, N61PG, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power about 1 mile from Fuquay/Angier Field Airport (NC78), Angier, North Carolina. The sport pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Gilliam-McConnell Airfield (BQ1), Carthage, North Carolina about 1415.
The pilot reported that he departed BQ1 with about 15 gallons of fuel. While about 10 miles from his destination of NC78, the engine "stumbled/stuttered briefly and then resumed running normally," but then 1 or 2 minutes later, the same conditions occurred, but were more severe and more sustained. For the remainder of the flight, the engine continued to run rough, and would momentarily "cut out" intermittently, but the engine did not stop completely. When the airplane was about 1,000 ft above ground level and losing altitude, the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and approached a field to complete an off-airport landing. During the subsequent landing roll, the airplane impacted a pile of dirt and nosed over.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the recovery facility, the fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The inspector confirmed that the engine had compression and continuity when the propeller was rotated by hand. Both carburetors had fuel in their respective bowls, and fuel was present in both wing tanks and the header tank.
According to FAA airmen records, the pilot held a sport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported a total of 337 flight hours, 53 hours of which were in the accident airplane.
At 1500, the weather conditions reported at Harnett Regional Jetport Airport (HRJ), Erwin, North Carolina, 10 miles south of the accident site were, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, wind 240° at 6 knots, temperature 24°C, dew point 2°C, and barometric pressure of 29.91 inches of mercury.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Zenair
Registration: N61PG
Model/Series: Zodiac CH601 HDS
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHRJ, 201 ft msl
Observation Time: 1500 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 240°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Carthage, NC (BQ1)
Destination: Fuquay/Angier, NC (NC78)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 35.392500, -78.706667 (est)
