# NTSB CHI90DCA01: Zengel RV-4, N371FZ, Columbia, IL, May 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1990, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, IL
- Coordinates: 38.450893, -90.220214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4509&lon=-90.2202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DCA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCA01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH TO TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

FOLLOWING MANEUVERS AT ALTITUDE IN HIS OWNER-BUILT AIRPLANE, THE PRIVATE PILOT RETURNED TO THE FIELD FOR LANDING. ON THE THIRD LANDING PASS, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A WHEAT FIELD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WAS REPORTED OR DISCOVERED.

## 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
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Zengel, Frank H.
- Registered owner: Frank H Zengel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1990, 8 hours before
- Airport: Columbia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 160 total, 8 in this make and model, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900505015739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900505015739A), May 5, 1990: Amtrvn VANSRV4, Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. Lost control and crashed while attempting to land homebuilt. First test flight of homebuilt.

## 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 CHI89DCA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DCA01), May 21, 1989: Zengel RV-4 (N371FZ), Columbia, IL, substantial damage. 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.

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.