# NTSB BFO93LA077: Forest Ripley Z MAX, N72GR, Delaware, OH, May 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1993, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Delaware, OH
- Coordinates: 40.289722, -83.080444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2897&lon=-83.0804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA077

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO REGAIN POWER BY SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  HE STATED THAT HE PICKED A FIELD TO LAND IN AND STARTED TO DESCEND. DURING AN APPROACH FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROW OF TREES AND SHEARED THE RIGHT WING OFF OF THE FUSELAGE.  THE ONSCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE'S THREE FUEL TANKS. THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE WERE DAMAGED BY IMPACT FORCES.  NO AIRFRAME ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72GR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72GR-1993-10-06), registration cancelled 1993-10-06, S/N 382 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOREST RIPLEY Z MAX
- Registry model: [Ripley Forest Z MAX](https://openairdocs.org/model/ripley-forest-z-max) (registry code 05618XW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 382
- Airframe hours: 12
- Engines: Zenoah G50 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Forest Ripley
- Registered owner: Forest Ripley
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 12 hours before
- Destination: I78, MARYSVILLE, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,500 total, 7 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSU, 30 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930508012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930508012559A), May 8, 1993: Amtr ZMAX, Delaware, OH, Destroyed. Lost power. Crash landed in trees. No engine or fuel or airframe anomalies found.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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