# NTSB CEN21LA117: Zenair Zodiac 601HDS, N444PZ, Waller, TX, January 26, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 26, 2021, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Waller, TX
- Coordinates: 29.992833, -95.930482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9928&lon=-95.9305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA -- Flight Standards, Rotech Flight Safety
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102567/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102567
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA117

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not installed/available (probable cause); cases with it: [Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05628C1), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05628C1), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05628C1), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05628C1), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the preflight run-up and takeoff were normal, and the engine operated normally during the initial takeoff climb. However, about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the pilot heard two “pops,” and the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an open field. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel line at the engine-driven (mechanical) fuel pump inlet was separated from the pump fitting. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the reduction gearbox. However, minimal fuel (one drop) was found in the fuel pump, and no fuel was found in either carburetor bowl. It is likely that the fuel line at the engine-driven pump was not fully secured and became disconnected during the accident flight, which resulted in fuel starvation.

## Factual narrative

On January 26, 2021, about 1530 central standard time, a Zenair Zodiac 601 HDS airplane, N444PZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Waller, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot recalled that the preflight run-up and takeoff were normal, and that the engine seemed to be producing “plenty of power.” However, about 150 to 200 ft above ground level, the pilot heard two “pops,” and the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an open field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector on-scene after the accident noted that the fuel line at the engine-driven (mechanical) fuel pump inlet was separated from the pump fitting. A postrecovery engine examination did not reveal any anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the reduction gearbox. During the examination, minimal fuel (one drop) was found in the engine-driven fuel pump, and no fuel was found in either carburetor bowl.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444PZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444PZ-2023-06-07), registration cancelled 2023-06-07, S/N 63125, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Zenair Zodiac 601HDS
- Registry model: [Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/pinneo-george-g-zenair-zodiac-601hds) (registry code 05628C1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 63125
- Year built: 1995
- Airframe hours: 626
- Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 20, 2020
- Departed: 37XA, Waller, TX
- Airport: 37XA, Skydive Houston, runway 35, 3,030 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 11, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 1,502 total, 0 in this make and model, 1,406 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observed at: KTME, 11 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 20210126003619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210126003619A), Jan 26, 2021: Pinneo George G ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, Waller, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off to the north on runway 35 from Skydive Houston Airport (37XA). During climb out at approximately 150-200 feet AGL the engine RPM cut out,…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102567. 23.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 9.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12087855&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN21LA117_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12090002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Michael%20Singleton%20--%2026Jan2021-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12108470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12119387&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN21LA117-Rel.pdf
- Examination summary (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12136455&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN21LA117-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12137199&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20FAA_Ramon%20Reyes-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 7, PDF, 8 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12114182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20N444PZ_redacted-Rel.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.

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