# NTSB CHI94DEV02: Thomas E. Georges Z-MAX, Palmyra, IL, September 25, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: September 25, 1994, 18:37 UTC, 13:37 local
- Place: Palmyra, IL
- Coordinates: 39.429756, -89.989997 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, May 9, 1995
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DEV02
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DEV02

## Probable cause

The pilots's inadvertently stalled the airplane while maneuvering to land.  Factors were the loss of engine power due to carburetor ice, carburetor icing conditions, and the unavailability of carburetor heat.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN TO PICK A LANDING SITE.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED, LOST ALTITUDE, AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.  THE TEMPERATURE WAS 56 DEGREES AND THE DEW POINT WAS 55 DEGREES.  CARBURETOR HEATING WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 25, 1994, at 1337 central daylight time, an experimental Thomas E. Georges Z-Max, N4592M, operated by a private pilot on a pleasure flight, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff near Palmyra, Illinois.  The airplane was destroyed and the pilot sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, while climbing through an altitude of approximately 150 feet, the engine lost power.  He attempted to turn to pick a landing site.  The airplane stalled and lost altitude.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident.  The temperature was 56 degrees and the dew point was 55 degrees.  The carburetor icing probability chart contained in DOT/FAA/CT-82/44 specifies the potential for "serious icing at cruise power" under these conditions.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of preimpact malfunction. The left wing was shattered.  The engine and firewall were torn from the fuselage.  The fuselage center section was severely damaged.

The fuel tanks contained fuel.  Fuel was found in the fuel lines, filter, and carburetor.  The ground wire for the ignition unit was burned resulting in a "hot mag" condition.  The ignition unit was examined and functioned normally during an operational test. Carburetor heating was not installed on the airplane.  All engine and flight controls were intact.

## Sequence of events

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - unavailable, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4592M, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4592M-2020-02-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THOMAS E. GEORGES Z-MAX
- Registry model: Piper PA-11 (registry code 7101102, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 459
- Airframe hours: 67
- Engines: ZENOAH G50 45 horsepower
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Destination: EDINBURG, IL
- Airport: 5K1, ZELMER MEMORIAL AIRPARK, runway 36

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 43; private; medical class 3; hours: 1 24 hours, 1 24 hours in this make and model, 7 30 days, 7 30 days in this make and model, 46 90 days, 41 90 days in this make and model, 116 pic, 116 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility (statute miles): 5
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 2700
- Temperature (°F): 55.4

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.