Pilot Debrief

DAVIDSON ZENITH STOL CH701 near Glendale, OR — 2011-07-18

Final reportWPR11FA333
Sign in to save
Date
2011-07-18
Location
Glendale, OR, USA
Airport
OG41
Aircraft
DAVIDSON ZENITH STOL CH701
Registration
N701RD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airplane control during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valves were in the correct position for flight during the preflight inspection.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel valves were in the correct position for flight during the preflight inspection.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had been flying in the traffic pattern before landing, shutting down, and subsequently taking on a passenger for a short flight. Witnesses reported that, after takeoff, the airplane reached an altitude of 500 feet and that the engine then sputtered and lost power. The airplane then turned steeply left and descended rapidly. The airplane partially rolled out of the turn, but the descent rate was not arrested, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Witnesses responded to the accident site and heard the fuel pump operating; however, they did not see or smell fuel in the area. The left wing root fuel valve was found in the "off" position, and the right wing root fuel valve was found nearly in the "off" position. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were nearly full with fuel. However, the fuel hoses removed downstream of the fuel valves were found empty. No evidence was found of a mechanical malfunction or failure with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. If the pilot had performed a preflight or run-up inspection before takeoff, which would have included checking the fuel valve positions, he might have noted that the fuel valves were in the "off" position. The toxicology results indicated the pilot had used lorazepam (an antianxiety medication); however, due to the low levels detected, it is unlikely that it was impairing at the time of the accident. It could not be determined whether the underlying medical condition caused impairment and contributed to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel valves before takeoff to ensure proper fuel flow.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps