# NTSB CHI08CA008: Veltman, Robert CH701, N702BW, Owosso, MI, October 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2007, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Owosso, MI - Coordinates: 42.992778, -84.138336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9928&lon=-84.1383&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-DTW-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67029/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA008 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertantly turned the fuel selector to the off position and failed to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's change in his normal habit pattern. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - habit interference, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel tank selector position - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power on takeoff. The pilot broke his normal habit pattern by not turning the fuel selector off when he landed. When he got back in the airplane to depart, he forgot the fuel selector was already on and he turned it to the off position The engine lost power about 30 feet above the ground during the initial takeoff climb. The nose dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power on takeoff. The pilot landed at an airport to drop a passenger off prior to continuing on to his private airstrip. He stated that his normal habit was to turn the fuel selector off when shutting the engine down, but he did not do that this time. When he got back in the airplane to depart, he forgot the fuel selector was already on and he turned it to the off position The engine quit about 30 feet above the ground during the initial takeoff climb. The nose dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N702BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N702BW-2007-11-30), registration cancelled 2007-11-30, S/N 4442, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Veltman, Robert CH701 - Registry model: [Veltman Robert B CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/veltman-robert-b-ch701) (registry code 05620S5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 4442 - Airframe hours: 73.1 - Engines: Jabiru 2200A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2007 - Departed: Owosso, MI - Destination: Private Strip, MI - Airport: RNP, Owosso Community Airport, runway 10, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; flight hours: 280 total, 73 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: RNP ## 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 20071025824699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071025824699A), Oct 25, 2007: Amtr CH701, Owosso, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot initiated take-off on runway 10 with left and right fuel shut-off valves in the off position. At approximately 30 feet above runway engine quit.… ## Other investigations on N702BW (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 CHI06CA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA217), Aug 6, 2006: Veltman CH701 (N702BW), Owosso, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadequate compensation for the tailwind condition. Factors included the tailwind and the power lines. 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.