# NTSB CEN25FA056: Zenith Zodiac CH601, N9853M, Columbia, IL, December 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: December 8, 2024, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Columbia, IL - Coordinates: 38.460748, -90.234427 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4607&lon=-90.2344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25FA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199394/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199394 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA056 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to secure the engine oil filter following maintenance, which resulted in oil starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: replacement](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/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: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05622RJ), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had changed the engine oil pressure sender due to faulty readings, and the accident flight was a post-maintenance test flight. Shortly after takeoff, he observed smoke in the cockpit and smelled burning oil. The engine lost total power and the cabin filled with smoke. He opened the airplane’s canopy in an attempt to dissipate the smoke, but then discovered that he was unable to control the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground as the pilot was attempting to return to the airport and was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed several holes in the engine case and oil pan that corresponded with a damaged piston assembly, along with thermal damage of the oil pan and case. The No. 3 cylinder connecting rod was found separated from the engine in the debris field, and the connecting rod journal was black and wiped, consistent with oil starvation. The oil filter was ¼ turn from fully loose and was easily rotated and removed by hand. The loose engine oil filter and failed connecting rod that exhibited signatures of oil starvation suggest that the pilot failed to properly tighten the engine oil filter after draining and replacing the engine oil after replacing the pressure sender. This resulted in an inflight engine oil leak, smoke entering the cockpit, and the total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 2024, about 1210 central standard time, an experimental Zenith Zodiac CH601 airplane, N9853M, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Columbia, Illinois. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The pilot reported that he had changed the oil pressure sender due to faulty readings, and the accident flight was a post-maintenance test flight. Shortly after takeoff, he observed smoke in the cockpit and smelled burning oil. The engine lost total power and the cabin filled with smoke. He opened the airplane’s canopy in an attempt to dissipate the smoke, but then discovered that he was unable to control the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground and was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire. The accident site was located in a flat agricultural field about 0.3 nautical miles from the airport. Video from a nearby surveillance camera showed the airplane impact the field in a nose-high, wings-level attitude, nose over, and come to rest inverted, with smoke immediately visible. The pilot stated that he used an onboard fire extinguisher until two witnesses arrived and pulled him from the airplane. The engine compartment, forward fuselage, and cockpit were fully engulfed by fire when first responders arrived. The debris path extended about 61 ft on a heading about 139° to the main wreckage. The engine compartment, fuselage, and inboard sections of both wings had extensive thermal damage from a post-crash fire. Flight control continuity from the control surfaces to the cockpit was confirmed, along with the engine power control. The cockpit controls were destroyed during the post-crash fire. The engine was an experimental, inline-four-cylinder, normally aspirated engine. Postaccident examination revealed damage consisting of several holes in the engine case and oil pan that corresponded with a damaged piston assembly, along with thermal damage of the oil pan and case. The No. 3 cylinder connecting rod was found in the debris field. The connecting rod journal was observed to be black and wiped consistent with oil starvation. The oil filter was found to be ¼ turn from fully loose and was easily rotated and removed by hand. A review of the engine maintenance logbook did not reveal any entries related to the pilot’s replacement of the oil pressure sender. The pilot’s hangar contained a used oil drain pan, with wet oil still inside, as well as a 5-gallon bucket of used engine oil next to an open toolbox. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9853M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9853M), registered now, S/N 6-3624, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH Zodiac CH601 - Registry model: [Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/brenner-michael-p-zenith-zodiac-601hds) (registry code 05622RJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (registry code 34800, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-3624 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: Aeromomentum AM15H 117 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review February 6, 2023; flight hours: 594 total, 551 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KCPS, 7 nm away - METAR: KCPS 081753Z 21009G16KT 10SM BKN065 OVC080 15/07 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP125 T01500072 10156 20056 58022 ## 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 20241208019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241208019929A), Dec 8, 2024: Brenner Michael P ZENITH ZODIAC 601HDS, Columbia, IL, Destroyed. A zenith zodiac CH601 aircraft was destroyed in an accident while trying to return to airport IL91. The aircraft experience an apparent oil leak and the pilot… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199394. 57.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20759444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20759843&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20763328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records - engine (item 4, PDF, 10 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20759302&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20Complete_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpts (item 5, PDF, 8 pages, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20761260&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Recorder lab email report (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20759351&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Lab%20Email%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Recorder lab email attachments (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20815690&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Lab%20Email%20Attachments-Rel.pdf - Surveillance camera footage (item 8, MOV, 40.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20761756&FileExtension=mov&FileName=20241209122602558_D06257161_hcDownloadP_back%20fence%20line_10_video-Rel.mov 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.