# NTSB CHI08CA165: Fetherolf CH-701, N813DJ, Newton Falls, OH, June 14, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2008, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Newton Falls, OH - Coordinates: 41.211112, -80.969169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2111&lon=-80.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA165 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to fuel starvation resulting from an obstructed fuel tank vent. Factors contributing to the accident were the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and the airplane's low altitude at the time of the power loss. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056146Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he had been flying for approximately 15 minutes when he decided to land. The airplane was on downwind for the runway, abeam the threshold, when the engine "sputtered then quit." The pilot switched fuel tanks, and turned on the electric fuel boost pump; however, he was unsuccessful in restoring engine power. At that point, the airplane was outside of gliding distance to the runway, and the pilot made a forced landing to a wooded area short of the runway. A postaccident inspection revealed that the left fuel tank vent was obstructed. The obstruction appeared to be sealant used in the assembly of the tank. The pilot noted that the vent design will be changed to reduce the possibility of a blockage, and the preflight checklist will be revised to specifically verify that the vents are clear prior to flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he had been flying for approximately 15 minutes when he decided to land. The airplane was established on downwind for runway 1 (3,500 feet by 30 feet, asphalt), abeam the threshold, when the engine "sputtered then quit." The pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the electric fuel boost pump; however, he was unsuccessful in restoring engine power. At that point, the airplane was outside of gliding distance to the runway. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a wooded area short of the runway. A post accident inspection revealed that the left fuel tank vent was obstructed. The obstruction appeared to be sealant used in the assembly of the tank. The pilot noted that the vent design will be changed to reduce the possibility of a blockage, and the preflight checklist will be revised to specifically verify that the vents are clear prior to flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N813DJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N813DJ-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 7-3614, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fetherolf CH-701 - Registry model: [Fetherolf James Barry CH-701](https://openairdocs.org/model/fetherolf-james-barry-ch-701) (registry code 056146Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-3614 - Airframe hours: 22.5 - Engines: Subaru EA-81 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2007 - Departed: 41N, Newton Falls, OH - Airport: 41N, Braceville, runway 1, 3,000 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 202 total, 14 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: YNG, 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 20080614838879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080614838879A), Jun 14, 2008: Amtr CH701, Warren, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he sealed the wing fuel tank filler necks and prior to flight he noticed that the sealant was still wet before the flight. During the… 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.