# NTSB CEN23LA390: Zlin Aviation S R O Savage Norden, N7373, Cabot, AR, August 30, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2023, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cabot, AR · Perimeter fenced field
- Coordinates: 34.909498, -92.015914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9095&lon=-92.0159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA/FSDO, Sport Air USA, Rotech Flight Safety, Inc.
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA390
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192973/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192973
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA390

## Probable cause

The airplane manufacturer’s routing of the fuel pump wiring next to the engine’s turbocharger and exhaust, which thermally damaged the wiring and resulted in a malfunction of the fuel delivery system and a total loss of engine power.

## Findings

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

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md)
- [Electrical power system: electrical pwr sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Manufacture/production](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013000): Organizational issues › Development · Manufacturer (probable cause); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013000/cases.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=06001CX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction, who was also the airplane owner, were performing takeoffs and landings as part of a tailwheel training flight. After an uneventful landing, they departed, remained in the traffic pattern, and were on final approach when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and conducted a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted a fence and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The flight instructor noticed a small fire in the engine compartment after the accident that continued for about 30 seconds. Postaccident examination revealed that the wiring for the electric fuel pumps was thermally damaged and rested on the turbine section of the turbocharger and near the exhaust system. The fuel pumps would not function when tested with airframe controls. However, they functioned normally after the thermally damaged wires were bypassed. Examination of the remaining systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The engine control unit (ECU) data confirmed that the engine functioned normally for the majority of the flight but exhibited a total loss of power during the final approach. The data illustrated that the pilot increased the throttle position but the engine did not respond. Examination of an exemplar airplane revealed that the fuel pump’s wiring harness was routed near the firewall and not next to the turbocharger and exhaust, as observed on the accident airplane. According to the airplane manufacturer’s sole U.S. distributor, there is currently no standardization for placement of the fuel pump wiring during the manufacturing process. It is most likely that the engine lost power due to the thermally-damaged fuel pump wiring.

## Factual narrative

On August 30, 2023, about 1600 central daylight time, a Zlin Aviation Savage Norden airplane, N7373, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cabot, Arkansas. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor stated that they departed North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK), North Little Rock, Arkansas, and flew to Red Oak Airport (4AR2), Cabot, Arkansas, to perform takeoffs and landings for tailwheel training. Following an uneventful landing, they departed runway 09 at 4AR2 and remained in the traffic pattern. The flight instructor reported that, while on final approach, the engine sustained a total loss of power. He subsequently executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane impacted a fence during the landing roll. After the accident, he noticed a small fire in the engine compartment that continued for about 30 seconds. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The engine remained attached to the airframe with minimal impact damage. Soot residue was observed on the right upper engine cowl air louvers, the engine valve covers, and the aft engine area. The throttle position sensor wiring, oil temperature sensor wiring, and the oil pressure sensor wiring were melted and damaged. The wiring for the two primary electric fuel pumps was thermally damaged and rested on the turbine section of the turbocharger and near the exhaust system. The fuel pumps would not function when tested with airframe controls. However, they functioned normally after the thermally damaged wires were bypassed. The ECU data revealed that the engine parameters were nominal during the first portion of the flight and the throttle position corresponded to engine rpm as expected. During the final approach, the throttle position was reduced to 27%, which led to a corresponding decrease in engine speed to 1,844 rpm. About 7 seconds later, with the throttle position unchanged, the engine speed suddenly decreased to about 300 rpm, and the engine stopped running. The throttle position was then increased to 74% but the engine did not respond. When the engine speed suddenly decreased to 300 rpm, the fuel injection mass and manifold pressure increased, consistent with the engine not receiving adequate fuel. The calculated fuel flow initially decreased as the engine's speed suddenly decreased to 300 rpm before it then increased rapidly, consistent with the ECM attempting to inject more fuel to compensate for the loss of engine speed. During the initial loss of power, the ECU recorded two faults for Generator Select in Failsafe. According to Rotech, this fault can be caused by a lane check being conducted too quickly or by turning off the engine by switching off the fuel pumps (especially when the engine is running on Generator A). Rotech further reportedthat the Generator Select in Failsafe fault, “further substantiates the existence of fuel supply issues, as this fault was recorded at the time of the engine power loss.” An exemplar airplane was examined; the fuel pump power wiring harness was routed near the firewall and not next to the turbocharger, as seen on the accident airplane. According to the airplane manufacturer’s sole U.S. distributor, there is currently no standardization for placement of the fuel pump wiring during the manufacturing process.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7373](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7373), registered now, S/N 377, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ZLIN AVIATION S R O SAVAGE NORDEN
- Registry model: [Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/zlin-aviation-s-r-o-savage-norden) (registry code 06001CX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 377
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 165
- Engines: Rotax 915IS 141 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 23, 2023, 7 hours before
- Departed: ORK, North Little Rock, AR
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 4AR2, Red Oak Airport, runway 09/27, 3,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review May 17, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 695 total, 7 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 287 in the last 90 days, 116 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, unknown; last flight review August 29, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,930 total, 3 in this make and model, 5,854 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observed at: LRF, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLRF 302055Z AUTO 10011KT 10SM BKN065 33/18 A2983

## 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 20230830014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230830014059A), Aug 30, 2023: Zlin Aviation S R O SAVAGE NORDEN, Cabot, AR, Substantial damage. Approximately 1600 on 30 August 2023 while performing familiarization flight instruction to the new [privacy data omitted]. [privacy data omitted], A…

## Docket (12 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192973. 78.5 MB in all.

- NTSB 6120 1 form (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18784228&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Party representative forms (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18942871&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Representative%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB examination summary (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18970773&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf
- Mor zlin fuel pump wiring (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18971385&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Zlin%20Fuel%20Pump%20Wiring-Rel.pdf
- Fuel lab report and NTSB review (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18943035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fuel%20Lab%20Report%20and%20NTSB%20Review_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19225291&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Rotech ecu investigation report (item 7, PDF, 14 pages, 946 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18942759&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Rotech%20ECU%20Investigation%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Ecu data-N7373 (item 8, XLSX, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18942531&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=ECU%20Data%20-%20N7373-Rel.xlsx
- Airframe logbook (item 9, PDF, 9 pages, 23.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18943308&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Engine logbook (item 10, PDF, 15 pages, 37.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18943480&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Propeller logbook (item 11, PDF, 5 pages, 9.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18942541&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Propeller%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Wreckage release (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18943555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_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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