- Date
- August 11, 1997, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place
- Spruce Creek, FL
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N105RCZenair 701
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 2, 1998
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19970811021629A
- Case key
- 3890
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the engine for undetermined reasons, while maneuvering close to the ground. Factors included the soft terrain and the conditions favorable for carburetor icing.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
According to the pilot, he completed a pre-flight and filled the two cycle, outboard motor engine with Amoco high grade gasoline. After flying around the area for about an hour, the pilot landed the airplane at Spruce Creek Airport. The pilot stated he then taxied back for takeoff and departed for closed pattern work. At an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot stated the engine 'lost about 100 RPM, but was still climbing'. Upon turning downwind at 500 feet, the engine quit. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot landed in a wet field. The airplane sank into the mud upon touchdown, and it burst into flames. The atmospheric conditions were favorable to carburetor icing.
Factual narrative
On August 11, 1997, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Zenair 701, N105RC, collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing at Spruce Creek Airport, Spruce Creek, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for this personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated at 0930.
According to the pilot, this flight was a demonstration for the passenger who hoped to purchase the amateur built, experimental airplane. The pilot did a pre-flight, and he filled the two cycle, outboard motor engine with Amoco high grade gasoline. After flying in the area for about an hour, the pilot landed the airplane at Spruce Creek Airport. Up to this point, the pilot stated "the engine had been running beautifully", and the gages all read normal values. After taxiing back for takeoff, the airplane departed for closed pattern work. At an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot stated the engine "lost about 100 RPM, but was still climbing". While on the downwind leg at about 500 feet, the engine quit. The pilot attempted to turn and land at Spruce Creek Airport, but was unable to reach the airport. The pilot stated he decided to land in a wet field. When he did, the aircraft "sank in mud about 6" deep and instantly burst into flames". The airplane was significantly burned before the fire trucks arrived.
The atmospheric conditions were favorable for carburetor icing.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N105RC
- Reported as
- Zenair 701
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 7-1714
- Airframe hours
- 5
- Engine
- AMW, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Robert R. Conn
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed
- 44J
- Airport
- 44J · Spruce Creek Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 81
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,100 total · 400 in this make and model · 1,100 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DAB, 7 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.