Pilot Debrief

Zenair ZENITH CH 701 near Garden Ridge, TX — 2019-10-05

Final reportCEN20LA005
Sign in to save
Date
2019-10-05
Location
Garden Ridge, TX, USA
Airport
TS67
Aircraft
Zenair ZENITH CH 701
Registration
N701BJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was fully loaded with fuel and that all preflight checks were normal for the personal flight. He indicated that, after departure, as the airplane reached between about 10 and 15 ft above ground level, the engine power rolled back "opposite of a surge." He landed straight ahead into brush past the runway end. During the landing, the right main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. During the engine examination, several items were identified that could have contributed to a reduction or loss of engine power, including a lack of a fuel return line, a loose exhaust pipe, dirty air filters, and a disconnected choke lever. However, an engine test run was conducted without correcting any of the identified deficiencies, and the engine performed without interruption; no anomalies were noted. Further, no anomalies were noted during the airframe examination. Although the conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the airplane was operating at takeoff power at the time of the accident. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon engine RPM rollback.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

Related mishaps