Pilot Debrief

TERRY F KING ZENITH 701 near La Belle, FL — 2014-04-05

Final reportERA14CA191
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Date
2014-04-05
Location
La Belle, FL, USA
Airport
X14
Aircraft
TERRY F KING ZENITH 701
Registration
N410KT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed after a total loss of engine power at takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the pilot/owner/builder's improper installation of the magnetos which resulted in the engine power loss.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner/builder reported that at 30 to 50 feet above the runway in a steep climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. The airplane "nosed over quickly" and landed hard on the nose wheel, bounced, and landed hard on the nose wheel again, collapsing it, and causing substantial damage to the firewall and airframe. Examination of the airplane's engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that both magnetos were improperly grounded at installation. The installation as found resulted in a degraded performance, and over time, resulted in a complete ignition failure and total loss of engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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