# NTSB CEN24LA012: Tvap 4, N42VZ, Franksville, WI, October 15, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 15, 2023, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Franksville, WI - Coordinates: 42.811389, -88.094089 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8114&lon=-88.0941&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193241 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193241/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193241 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA012 ## Probable cause The improper installation of the supplemental ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md) - [Ignition system: ignition power supply](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057410/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056313Z), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane stated that the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power during the departure climb. The pilot then performed a forced landing on a field near the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane’s landing gear dug into soft terrain resulting in a nose over of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination revealed the airplane was equipped with a supplemental ignition system. Two units of the supplemental system were installed with fuses that were not called for in the system installation instructions. One of the fuses was blown, which disabled one of the two units and did not allow for the airplane’s magneto system to continue providing engine ignition, resulting in a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 2023, at 0900 central daylight time, a Zant TVAP-4, N42VZ, was involved in an accident near Franksville, Wisconsin. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot, who was the airplane owner, stated that the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power while climbing through 200 ft above ground level. The pilot then performed a forced landing on a field near the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane rolled for about 100 ft before the landing gear dug into soft terrain resulting in a nose over of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was equipped with a Generation 3 Ignition (G3i), which is an electronic ignition control system that is interfaced with the engine’s magneto ignition system on homebuilt, experimental aircraft. The G3i system is comprised of a MSD Ignition Multiple Spark Discharge (Ignition Amplifier) unit and a G3i Ignition Interface unit. Each unit was installed with a 7.5-amp fuse; however, the G3i Installation Manual (Series-1 and Series-2) did not call for the installation of fuses for either unit. The G3i Installation Manual stated, in part: “The G3i module interfaces the aircraft magnetos with (MST) Multiple Sparking Technology ignition system. G3i compliments the synchronized firing event in all naturally aspirated and supercharged Lycoming & Continental engines. The MST amplifier discharges synchronized multiple sparks, which lasts for 20° of crankshaft rotation. The G3i system operates by switching the magnetos from their typical normal state to the more versatile electronic MST ignition.” Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that, with the airplane’s electrical power and magneto systems on and the G3i system off, the engine’s ignition system functioned normally. When the G3i system was turned on, the magneto system did not function. The 7.5-amp fuse installed for the MSD unit was blown. The G3i Installation Manual stated “NOTE: In flight loss of engine power or suspected G3i ignition system failure, Toggle off the power to the G3i ignition system to revert back to default magneto mode.” According to the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who conducted the postaccident examination of the airplane, the pilot was unaware of the G3i Installation Manual note since no aircraft build records were provided to him as the buyer of the airplane. The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge that he did not toggle off the G3i system because he did not have time to diagnose the cause of the engine power loss. The pilot said that he did not have an engine-out checklist. There was no G3i flight manual supplement/placard for emergency procedures relating to the failure of the G3i system, and such a supplement/placard was not required. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42VZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42VZ), registered now, S/N 1080, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TVAP 4 - Registry model: [Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-e-van-zant-tvap-4) (registry code 056313Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1E6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1e6) (registry code 41835, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1080 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 63.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 22, 2023 - Destination: VOK, Camp Douglas, WI - Airport: 62C, Cindy Guntly Memorial Airport, runway 1, 2,381 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 312 total, 60 in this make and model, 278 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 15 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: MKE, 12 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 20231015021889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231015021889A), Oct 15, 2023: Robert E Van Zant TVAP-4, Franksville, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot departed guntley field in franklin WI and on the climb out the pilot stated that the aircraft lost all power. The pilot cleared the houses and did a… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193241. 71.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16759233&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Ntsb-Rel.pdf_Redacted.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16762282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N42VZ%20Inspectors%20Report%202-24_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of correspondence - pilot December 4 2023 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16782795&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20of%20Correspondence%20Pilot%20December%204%202023-Rel.pdf - Record of correspondence - pilot February 27 2024 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16783731&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20of%20Correspondence%20Pilot%20Februry%2027%202024-Rel.pdf - G3I installation instructions (item 5, PDF, 41 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16784079&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=G3i%20Installation%20Instructions-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - flight manual supplement availability (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16784510&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20of%20Record%20-%20Flight%20Manual%20Supplement-Rel.pdf - Aircraft maintenance record (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 62.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16787652&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N42VZ%20Log%20Entry%20Cond%20Insp_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 8, PDF, 5 pages, 770 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16783627&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Template-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. --- 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.