# NTSB CHI90DEP03: James A Nelson ZEN AIR CH701, N360JN, Raymond, WI, April 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1990, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Raymond, WI
- Coordinates: 42.729736, -87.860801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7297&lon=-87.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEP03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEP03

## Probable cause

MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE FUEL DRAIN. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DISREGARDING THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,drain - leak (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL, HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING A ROUND-ROBIN CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE SUFFERED A TOTAL POWER LOSS AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON SOFT TERRAIN. ON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL DRAIN WAS UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE FUEL AND A QUANITY OF THE FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT DURING FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N360JN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N360JN-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 7-1360, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES A NELSON ZEN AIR CH701 (ZEN AIR CH)
- Registry model: [Nelson James A. CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-james-a-ch-701) (registry code 05649CB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-1360
- Airframe hours: 17
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1990, 17 hours before
- Departed: RAC, RACINE, WI
- Destination: RAC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 14 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 18 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 19900403007459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900403007459A), Apr 3, 1990: Amtr CH701, Raymond, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Nosed over landing in mud. Fuel tank empty. Pilot failed to note strainer drain was leaking fuel.

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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