# NTSB CHI07CA146: Everett Zodiac 601XL, N42005, Lonoke, AR, May 12, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2007, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Lonoke, AR - Coordinates: 34.813888, -92 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8139&lon=-92.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65988/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA146 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. An additional cause was the pilot's improper decision to enter the traffic pattern after intermittent losses of engine power, and his subsequent failure to remain within power off gliding distance of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - carburetor heat control - not activated - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when the left wing impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that approximately 2-1/2 miles from the intended destination while in a "gradual descent" to the airport, the engine "had a sudden loss of [power] for a second or two, and then immediately was running perfect again." He considered executing a downwind landing; however, because the engine was running again and the airplane was "still a little high," he elected to enter the traffic pattern while remaining close to the runway. He selected the other fuel tank, but "a few seconds later" a similar brief loss of engine power occurred again. He "immediately turned to the east to the runway and the engine quit a few second[s] later." He entered a left turn in an attempt to avoid a water-filled ditch when the left wing struck the ground. A post accident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot stated that fuel samples were taken during the preflight inspection and no water or contaminants were observed. He did not recall applying carburetor heat during the descent or after the loss of engine power. About the time of the accident, Adams Field Airport located approximately 10 miles west of the accident site, recorded a temperature and dew point of 23 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively. Data provided by Transport Canada indicated the possibility of moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at descent power under those conditions. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged when the left wing impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that approximately 2-1/2 miles from the intended destination while in a "gradual descent" to the airport, the engine "had a sudden loss of [power] for a second or two, and then immediately was running perfect again." He considered executing a downwind landing; however, because the engine was running again and the airplane was "still a little high," he elected to enter the traffic pattern while remaining close to the runway. He selected the other fuel tank, but "a few seconds later" a similar brief loss of engine power occurred again. He "immediately turned to the east to the runway and the engine quit a few second[s] later." He entered a left turn in an attempt to avoid a water-filled ditch when the left wing struck the ground. A post accident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies. The pilot stated that fuel samples were taken during the preflight inspection and no water or contaminants were observed. He did not recall applying carburetor heat during the descent or after the loss of engine power. About the time of the accident, Adams Field Airport located approximately 10 miles west of the accident site, recorded a temperature and dew point of 23 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively. Data provided by Transport Canada indicated the possibility of moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at descent power under those conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42005](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42005-2019-10-11), registration cancelled 2019-10-11, S/N 6-5238, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Everett Zodiac 601XL - Registry model: [Everett Elmo ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/everett-elmo-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 056175G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-5238 - Airframe hours: 57 - Engines: Lycoming O-235C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2006 - Departed: SRC, Searcy, AR - Destination: 1AR9, Lonoke, AR - Airport: 1AR9, Country Air Estates Airport, runway 36, 3,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 684 total, 14 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: LIT ## 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 20070512007519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070512007519A), May 12, 2007: Amtr CH601XL, Lonoke, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 12, 2007 at approximately 0900 aircraft N42005 (zodiac 601XL), piloted by [privacy data omitted] received substantial damage by impacting a ditch… 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.