# NTSB CEN15LA286: Don W Guice Zodiac 601XL, N253DG, Seagoville, TX, June 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2015, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Seagoville, TX - Coordinates: 32.65063, -96.539848 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6506&lon=-96.5398&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 91461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91461/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91461 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA286 ## Probable cause The engine overheating, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, due to the pilot's operation of the engine with a higher-than-specified oil quantity level. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631Z1), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, as the flight approached the destination airport, the high oil temperature warning light illuminated. The pilot's attempts to remedy the situation were successful but only for a few minutes, after which, the high oil temperature warning again illuminated, and the engine subsequently began running roughly. Smooth engine operation could only be obtained by reducing the engine speed. However, at that power setting, the airplane would not maintain altitude. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a field, and during the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then nosed over. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical failures. The pilot reported that he intentionally ran the engine with more oil than specified in an attempt to reduce the operating temperatures. When checked at the accident site, the engine oil quantity was higher than the upper limit on the oil dipstick. The engine manufacturer had previously issued a service bulletin, which noted that operating the engine with the oil quantity above the upper limit can result in oil temperatures significantly higher than when operating the engine at the lower limit. It is likely that the operation of the engine with a higher-than-specified oil quantity level resulted in the engine overheating and subsequently losing partial power. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2015, about 1130 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Guice Zodiac 601XL airplane, N253DG, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Seagoville, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), Houston, Texas, about 1000. The intended destination was the Mesquite Metro Airport (HQZ), Mesquite, Texas.The pilot reported that the high oil temperature warning illuminated as he approached the destination airport. His attempts to remedy the situation were successful, but only for a few minutes. The high oil temperature warning illuminated again and the engine subsequently began running rough. He insured that the fullest fuel tank was selected and turned on the fuel boost pump. However, smooth engine operation could only be obtained by reducing the engine speed to about 2,000 rpm. Unfortunately, at that power setting, the airplane would not maintain altitude. With a dense wooded area between the current position and the airport, the pilot setup for a forced landing to an open hay field. However, a set of power lines intervened and he ultimately selected a field with waist high grass. During the landing, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over resulting in fuselage and wing damage. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors conducted a postaccident examination. The examination did not reveal any mechanical failures with respect to the engine assembly. The pilot reportedly informed the inspectors that he intentionally ran the engine with about one-half quart more oil than specified in an attempt to reduce engine operating temperatures. When checked at the accident site, the engine oil quantity was higher than the upper limit on the oil dipstick. The Jabiru 3300 is a six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air cooled, direct drive, reciprocating engine. It is capable of developing 120 horsepower at 3,300 rpm. The accident engine, serial number 33A1561, had accumulated about 195 hours total time in service. The most recent condition inspection was completed on September 17, 2014, at 163.6 hours total time in service. The logbook provided did not contain any entries subsequent to the condition inspection. Jabiru issued a service bulletin regarding engine cooling applicable to the Jabiru J230 light sport airplanes, which are powered by the Jabiru 3300 engine. The service bulletin specifically noted that the engine oil level has a "strong effect on oil temperatures." In addition, the bulletin stated: "For all 3300 engines, the lowest oil temperatures are achieved when the oil level is set on the lower dipstick mark. . . . Note that testing has shown that setting the oil level slightly above the upperdipstick mark (i.e. slightly over-full) can result in oil temperatures 15 [degrees] C higher than when set at the lower mark." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N253DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N253DG-2015-09-04), registration cancelled 2015-09-04, S/N 6-5247 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DON W GUICE ZODIAC 601XL - Registry model: [Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/don-w-guice-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05631Z1) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-5247 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 195 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 17, 2014, 34 hours before - Departed: CXO, Lone Star Exec, TX - Destination: HQZ, Mesquite, TX - Airport: HQZ, Mesquite Metro - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 10, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 249 total, 150 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: HQZ, 5 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 20150629010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150629010189A), Jun 29, 2015: Don W Guice ZODIAC 601XL, Seagoville, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft experienced engine problems and was not able to reach an airport. Landed in a field that was freshly flooded. Aircraft nosed over and bent the wing… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91461. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Jabiru 330 Engine Information (item 4, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Jabiru%20330%20Engine%20Information-Master.PDF - Jabiru Service Letter/JSL004-1 - Engine Cooling (item 5, .PDF, 507 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Jabiru%20Service%20Letter%2FJSL004-1%20-%20Engine%20Cooling-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.