Pilot Debrief

ZENITH CH601 near Ocean Shores, WA — 2016-08-12

Final reportWPR16LA164
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Date
2016-08-12
Location
Ocean Shores, WA, USA
Aircraft
ZENITH CH601
Registration
N619LD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A reduction in electrical power, which disabled both fuel pumps and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight in an experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, the voltmeter's indications became erratic and that, shortly after, the airplane experienced a total loss of electrical power. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot conducted an emergency landing, during which the bottom of the fuselage contacted surrounding vegetation. The right wing then dipped, and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot reported that, following the accident, he checked the battery's charge, and it was 11 volts; however, the electrical system on the airplane required 12 to 13 volts for operation. The pilot partially disassembled the airplane following the accident, and the engine, most of the flight instruments, the tachometer, and the interior components were not available for examination. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the airplane's electrical system was not possible. However, the battery examination revealed that it had a 10-volt charge, indicating that either a battery or charging system failure occurred. The fuel delivery system included two electronic fuel pumps connected in series with no mechanical or auxiliary pumps installed. Therefore, the loss of electrical power would have disabled both fuel pumps and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. There was no other method to deliver fuel to the engine if the battery power was insufficient to power the fuel pumps.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked battery condition before flight to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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