# NTSB CHI89DCA01: Zengel RV-4, N371FZ, Columbia, IL, May 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, IL
- Coordinates: 38.449851, -90.220443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4499&lon=-90.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DCA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DCA01

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER ROUTING OF ENGINE FUEL LINES RESULTING IN OVER TEMPERATURE OF THE LINES WHICH RESULTED IN THE FUEL FLOW TO CARBURETOR TO FLUCTUATE AND CAUSE OVER RICH CONDITION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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
  - fuel system,line - overtemperature (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT OFF. THE PLT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE SAME RUNWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN THE DISTANCE REMAINING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER STRIKING A DITCH LOCATED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD BEEN LOOSELY WRAPPED WITH FIRESLEEVE AND HAD BEEN ROUTED ADJACENT TO AN EXHAUST PIPE. GROUND RUNNING THE ENG FOR APRX ONE HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN FUEL PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS, HIGH OIL TEMP, AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ACCOMPANIED BY HEAVY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE BOOST PUMP SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N371FZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N371FZ), registered now, S/N 371, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ZENGEL RV-4
- Registry model: [Zengel Frank H RV 4](https://openairdocs.org/model/zengel-frank-h-rv-4) (registry code 05608AJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 371
- Airframe hours: 775
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank H. Zengel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1989, 775 hours before
- Departed: H49, COLUMBIA, IL
- Airport: H-49, Columbia, runway 21, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 157 total, 7 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPS, 10 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 19890521012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890521012109A), May 21, 1989: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. Faulty carburetor and fuel lines near hot exhaust not properly insulated. Power loss on takeoff. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N371FZ (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 CHI90DCA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCA01), May 5, 1990: Zengel RV-4 (N371FZ), Columbia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH TO TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY.

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.

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