# NTSB CHI90DEE05: Dan T. Zelazo Avid/Speedwing, N396DZ, Sandwich, IL, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1990, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Sandwich, IL
- Coordinates: 41.63924, -88.619453 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6392&lon=-88.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEE05

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A FUEL LINE BY THE P. LOT/MANUFACTURER WHICH RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF A FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

## 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 - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE OWNER-BUILT AIRPLANE HAD TAKEN OFF AND WAS CLIMBING ON RUNWAY HEADING WHEN THE PILOT STATES HE BEGAN TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND SETTLE. THE PILOT MAINTAINED COURSE AND FLYING SPEED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO A 50 FOOT TREE TOP WHERE IT HUNG SUSPENDED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED FUEL IN THE TANK BUT ALL LINES DOWNSTREAM OF THE IN-LINE FUEL FILTER WERE DRY. THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE ENGINE WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE INLET TO THE FUEL FILTER. HOSE CLAMPS WERE MISSING AT CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM TANK THROUGH CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N396DZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N396DZ-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 447 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAN T. ZELAZO AVID/SPEEDWING (AVID/SPEED)
- Registry model: [Zelazo Dan T AVID FLYER SPEEDWING](https://openairdocs.org/model/zelazo-dan-t-avid-flyer-speedwing) (registry code 05616GA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 447
- Airframe hours: 19
- Engines: ROTAX 532 LC 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Zelazo, Dan T.
- Registered owner: Dan T Zelazo
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1989, 7 hours before
- Airport: C48, Woodlake Landing, runway 26, 2,988 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 698 total, 41 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900422010499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422010499A), Apr 22, 1990: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Sandwich, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in trees. Fuel line became disconnected.

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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