# NTSB CEN24LA333: Zenith Zodiac CH601 XL, N624RJ, Odessa, MO, September 2, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 2, 2024, 09:14 local (14:14 UTC) - Place: Odessa, MO - Coordinates: 38.996962, -93.954975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9970&lon=-93.9550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195043/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195043 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA333 ## Probable cause Overheating of the engine coolant for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a precautionary off-airport landing, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng liquid cooling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Richard L Jones CH-601 XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md?model=05632DX), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058570/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Richard L Jones CH-601 XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05632DX), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Richard L Jones CH-601 XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05632DX), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Richard L Jones CH-601 XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632DX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, about five minutes after departure in his experimental amateur-built airplane, the engine coolant began to overheat. The pilot reduced engine power hoping that the coolant temperature would decrease or would not increase further; however, the temperature continued to increase, and the pilot chose to land in a field. During the landing, the airplane contacted a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. Postaccident examination of the automotive engine revealed no evidence of coolant leaks, and the coolant overflow tank was full of coolant. The cause of the overheating was not determined during the examination. The pilot stated that he had not experienced any issues with overheating coolant during previous flights. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2024, at 0914 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built CH601 XL, N624RJ, sustained substantial damage when it was in involved in an accident near Odessa, Missouri. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was also owner of the airplane, stated that about five minutes after departure, the engine coolant temperature began to rise rapidly. The pilot then turned the airplane toward the departure airport and reduced engine power and airspeed. The pilot continued to decrease engine power, hoping that the coolant temperature would decrease or would not increase. The pilot then decided to attempt a landing at a closer airport, and the coolant temperature continued to increase. Steam and an odor filled the cockpit, and the pilot decided to land in a field. During the landing, the airplane impacted a shallow drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was powered by an automotive engine. The examination revealed that there were no coolant leaks, and the coolant overflow tank was full of coolant. The cause of the overheat could not be determined. The pilot stated that he had not experienced coolant overheating during previous flights, and he did not know why the overheating occurred during the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N624RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N624RJ-2024-09-17), registration cancelled 2024-09-17, S/N 6255 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenith Aircraft Company Zodiac CH601 XL - Registry model: [Richard L Jones CH-601 XLB](https://openairdocs.org/model/richard-l-jones-ch-601-xlb) (registry code 05632DX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honda VIKING-130](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honda-viking-130) (registry code 33799, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6255 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 378 - Engines: Viking Honda 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 11, 2024 - Departed: 3GV, Grain Valley, MO - Destination: MHL, Marshall, MO - Airport: NA - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,955 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,744 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: RCM, 14 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 20240902021349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240902021349A), Sep 2, 2024: Richard L Jones CH-601, Odessa, MO, Destroyed. During the cruise flight, the aircraft lost engine power. Due to an unexplained engine failure, the pilot skillfully executed an emergency landing despite the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195043. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17758174&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%2009-05-2024_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - FAA (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17763129&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA2-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17763897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 617 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17758075&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.