Pilot Debrief

ZENITH CH701 near Byron, CA — 2026-08-30

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA324
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Date
2026-08-30
Location
Byron, CA, USA
Airport
C83
Aircraft
ZENITH CH701
Registration
N701WJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On August 30, 2026, about 0905 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith CH701, N701WJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Byron Airport (C83), Byron, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had previously sustained damage in an accident at Byron in 2019 (see NTSB report WPR20LA035). It was subsequently repaired by the pilot, with work including reconstruction of the aft fuselage, construction of a new rudder, and fabrication of a new set of wings. Following completion of the repairs, engine and systems testing was conducted. The day before the accident, additional taxi tests, high-speed runs, and takeoff tests with immediate landings were performed at Byron, with no anomalies reported. On the day of the accident, the pilot taxied the airplane to the run-up area following which he conducted two additional cycles of high-speed taxi and takeoff tests on runway 23. After observing normal operation, the pilot elected to takeoff and remain in the traffic pattern. While climbing through approximately 300 ft agl, the pilot observed a decrease in engine rpm followed by a total loss of power. The pilot reported that his attention was focused on returning to the airport for landing and he did not have sufficient time to troubleshoot the loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward the airport and landed in a grass area adjacent to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial to the leading edges of both wings, left-wing strut, rudder and aft fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Initial climb
  • Loss of Thrust on Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

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