# NTSB CHI04LA014: Croke Zenith CH 701, N701US, Brussels, WI, October 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 2003, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Brussels, WI - Coordinates: 44.485279, -88.129722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4853&lon=-88.1297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Milwaukee, WI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58173/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA014 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The experimental amateur built airplane collided with trees during a forced landing following a go-around on runway 18 (1,000 feet by 20 feet, grass). The pilot stated he was not happy with the approach so he initiated a go-around from an altitude of about 15 feet above the ground. He reported the engine only produced about 4,000 rpm instead of the normal 5,300 rpm when he applied full power. The pilot reported he was unable to sustain a climb with the reduced power and the airplane settled into trees in a wooded area off the south end of the airstrip. The airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 UL, 80 horsepower engine. The engine had accumulated about 100 hours when the pilot purchased it with an additional 2 hours since it was installed on the accident airplane. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 2003, at 1800 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built Croke Zenith CH 701, N701US, collided with trees during a forced landing one-quarter mile from the pilot's private airstrip following a go-around from runway 18 (1,000 feet by 20 feet, grass) in Brussels, Wisconsin. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 1730. The pilot reported that after a local flight he returned to the airstrip to land. He stated he was not happy with the approach so he initiated a go-around from an altitude of about 15 feet above the ground. He reported the engine only produced about 4,000 rpm instead of the normal 5,300 rpm when he applied full power. The pilot reported he was unable to sustain a climb with the reduced power and the airplane settled into trees in a wooded area off the south end of the airstrip. The airplane was powered by a Rotax 912 UL, 80 horsepower engine. The engine had accumulated about 100 hours when the pilot purchased it with an additional 2 hours since it was installed on the accident airplane. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701US-2014-08-04), registration cancelled 2014-08-04, S/N 7-4514, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Croke Zenith CH 701 - Registry model: [Croke Jonathon P ZENITH CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/croke-jonathon-p-zenith-ch-701) (registry code 05615YS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-4514 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jonathon P. Croke - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: January 1, 2002 - Departed: PVT, Brussels, WI - Destination: PVT - Airport: PVT, runway 18, 1,000 × 20 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: GRB, 30 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 20031016029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016029249A), Oct 16, 2003: Amtr ZENITHCH701, Brussels, WI, Destroyed. (-23) Amateur built aircraft in flight test phase. During go around engine did not develop full RPM. Aircraft settled into trees. ## Other investigations on N701US (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI06CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA171), Jun 27, 2006: Croke Zenith CH 701 (N701US), Brussels, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining clearance from the trees during final approach. The trees located along the final approach course were a factor in the accident. 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.