The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Reno, Nevada
Location: Chester, California
Accident Number: WPR21LA248
Date and Time: June 26, 2021, 13:30 Local
Registration: N41XY
Aircraft: DEWSNUP DAVE ZENAIR CH 701 SP
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the engine sputtered and he discovered that the fuel valve lever was in the OFF position. He moved the fuel selector and fuel pump levers to ON, but the engine lost complete power. The pilot then elected to conduct a forced landing to a marsh field, during which the airplane touched down hard, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The right wing and the rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to properly position of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.
Findings
Aircraft Fuel selector/shutoff valve - Incorrect use/operation
Personnel issues Use of checklist - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Initial climb Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Initial climb Loss of engine power (total)
Initial climb Collision during takeoff/land
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 3, 2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 27, 2020
Flight Time: (Estimated) 173 hours (Total, all aircraft), 167 hours (Total, this make and model), 146 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 29 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: DEWSNUP DAVE
Registration: N41XY
Model/Series: ZENAIR CH 701 SP
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 7-9394
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Installed, activated
Engine Model/Series: 914UL
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 115 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: KSVE, 4149 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 31 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 79°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chico, CA (CIC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Chester, CA (O05)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 12:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: ROGERS FLD O05
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 4534 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: 16/34
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5020 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.282361,-121.24116
The pilot said that he took off in a Zenair STOL CH 701 SP from the Rogers Field Airport just before 2, reached an altitude of 1300 feet and then began encountering engine problems, which he believed was due to a fuel issue.
He attempted an emergency landing in a large meadow just east of the Chester city limits, landing near the landmark structure known as Olsen Barn.
Due to roughness of the meadow, the plane flipped over on landing, but was able to be righted by emergency personnel on the scene.
The Plumas County Sheriff and a U.S. Forest service fire crew responded to the incident, and reported the pilot sustained no injuries.
The pilot, who declined to give his name, said only that he felt lucky to have been able to reach the meadow.
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