# NTSB CEN15LA263: Belcher CH601XLB, N274AJ, Alpine, TX, June 6, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 2015, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.3675, -103.683609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3675&lon=-103.6836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91326/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91326 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA263 ## Probable cause The pilot/builder's failure to properly adjust the fuel flow, which resulted in reduced flow to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel pump](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md?model=05632VE), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057314/cases.md) - [Maintenance: replacement](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md?model=05632VE), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05632VE), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632VE), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632VE), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder, an airframe and powerplant mechanic, stated that the engine had been experiencing low oil pressure and that he performed work on the oil system the day before the accident. On the day of the accident, he taxied the airplane for about 20 minutes and did not observe any anomalies. He then departed on a postmaintenance test flight. A few minutes after takeoff, the engine sputtered and experienced a total loss of power. The pilot selected a small open area in which to land. During the forced landing approach, the pilot saw wires across the flight path and attempted to fly under them. The airplane contacted the lowest wire and the airplane nosed down into a carport alongside a residence. The pilot reported that he examined the engine after the accident. He stated that he failed to adjust the fuel flow after installing a high-pressure fuel pump, which resulted in insufficient fuel flow to the engine. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2015, at 0815 central daylight time, an amateur-built Belcher CH601XLB, N274AJ, collided with a residential carport following a loss of engine power in Alpine, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a post-maintenance test flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from Alpine Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), Alpine, Texas, about 0810.The pilot, who is an airframe and powerplant mechanic, built the aircraft. He stated the engine was experiencing low oil pressure and he worked on the oil system the day prior to the accident. On the day of the accident, he taxied the airplane for about 20 minutes and the engine operated normally during the taxi tests. He took off on the post maintenance test flight and the engine performed normally during the takeoff. A few minutes later, the engine started to sputter and lost all power. The pilot selected a small open area in which to land. During the forced landing approach, the pilot saw wires across the flight path, so he elected to fly under them. The airplane contacted the lowest wire and the airplane nosed down into a residential carport. The pilot reported that he examined the engine after the accident. He reported that he failed to adjust the fuel flow when he installed a high pressure fuel pump on the engine which resulted in insufficient fuel to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N274AJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N274AJ-2022-10-01), registration cancelled 2022-10-01, S/N 6-7410, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELCHER CH601XLB - Registry model: [Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB](https://openairdocs.org/model/belcher-jim-b-zenith-601xlb) (registry code 05632VE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-7410 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 8.8 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 20, 2014 - Departed: E38, Alpine, TX - Destination: E38, Alpine, TX - Airport: E38, Alpine Casparis Municipal - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review October 4, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,366 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,272 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: E38, 1 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 20150606008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150606008119A), Jun 6, 2015: Belcher Jim B ZENITH 601XLB, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. On June 6, 2015, at 0820 CDT, a zenith 601XLB aircraft bearing registration number N274AJ, registered to a private owner, lost power on climbout. While… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91326. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Builders PostAccident Engine Examination Notes (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Builders%20PostAccident%20Engine%20Examination%20Notes-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.