Pilot Debrief

ZENITH STOL CH750 near Sextonville, WI — 2024-02-23

Final reportCEN24LA119
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Date
2024-02-23
Location
Sextonville, WI, USA
Airport
93C
Aircraft
ZENITH STOL CH750
Registration
N750WW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, followed by a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had recently changed the carburetor on the experimental, amateur-built airplane’s engine, and the accident flight was his third flight with the new carburetor. Although the previous flights had been uneventful, he thought that the fuel/air mixture was too rich. He stated that he intended to remain in the airport traffic pattern during the accident flight; however, he had no memory of the events of the flight. A witness reported seeing the airplane as it was departing the airport. The witness reported that the airplane was flying about 60 ft above ground level (agl) and climbed to about 100 ft agl followed by a shallow, descending left turn. The witness did not hear any engine noise and thought that the propeller was not spinning. The witness noted that the airplane was traveling very slow and then dropped straight down. The airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in a field less than 1 mile from the airport. Examination of the airplane, engine, and systems revealed no evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The propeller blades did not exhibit signs of rotation at the time of impact. The witness, who responded to the accident site, reported that there was an odor of fuel at the site. Based on the available information, it is likely that the engine lost power shortly after takeoff. The witness’ account of the airplane traveling “very slow” and descending “straight down” is consistent with a loss of airplane control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight due to concerns about the carburetor adjustment.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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