Pilot Debrief

TERRY W. THAYER ZENITH STOL CH701 near Nikiski, AK — 2014-08-18

Final reportANC14LA065
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Date
2014-08-18
Location
Nikiski, AK, USA
Aircraft
TERRY W. THAYER ZENITH STOL CH701
Registration
N957TT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper positioning of the fuel selector valves, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow preflight checklists.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing from a remote, off-airport site in an experimental amateur-built airplane. He stated that just after takeoff, as the airplane reached about 50 feet above ground level, the engine lost all power. The pilot then attempted to land the airplane near the departure end of the site, but, with insufficient airspeed or altitude to transition to a landing attitude, the airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. According to the pilot, he had turned the airplane's fuel valves to the "off" position after the previous landing, and he failed to move the fuel valves into the "on" position before departure. He also noted that he did not use the preflight checklist. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot failed to turn fuel valves to 'on' before engine start.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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