# NTSB DFW07CA161: Rodgers Zodiac 601XL, N4589, Levelland, TX, July 14, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2007, 13:18 local (18:18 UTC) - Place: Levelland, TX - Coordinates: 33.923053, -102.386108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9231&lon=-102.3861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lubbock, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 66242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66242/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA161 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 287-hour private pilot reported that the homebuilt airplane experienced a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb. The airplane impacted the ground while the pilot attempted to return to the airport. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude and came to rest in the upright position in an open field within 50 yards of the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the accident site, was able to interview the pilot at the scene of the accident. The pilot reported that the airport perimeter fence limited the possibility of proceeding straight ahead for a forced landing. The pilot added that a turn was needed to maneuver the airplane to a suitable landing area. The inspector documented structural damage to all portions of the airplane forward of the cockpit, confirmed the availability of full fuel on board, and did not note any obvious discrepancies. In a telephone interview with the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC), the pilot stated that during the emergency turn back to the airport, he allowed the airplane to slow below minimum flying speed, and due to close proximity to the ground, was not able to successfully recover the aircraft prior to impacting the terrain. The pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, was not able to determine the reason for the engine's occasional loss of power. The pilot, who was also a mechanic, performed an inspection on the engine and could find a reason for the loss of engine power. The pilot added that he thought the engine malfunction was the result of a carburetor related problem. The airframe and engine had accumulated a total of 175 hours. ## Factual narrative The 287-hour private pilot reported that the homebuilt airplane experienced a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb. The airplane impacted the ground while the pilot attempted to return to the airport. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose low attitude and came to rest in the upright position in an open field within 50 yards of the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who responded to the accident site, was able to interview the pilot at the scene of the accident. The pilot reported that the airport perimeter fence limited the possibility of proceeding straight ahead for a forced landing. The pilot added that a turn was needed to maneuver the airplane to a suitable landing area. The inspector documented structural damage to all portions of the airplane forward of the cockpit, confirmed the availability of full fuel on board, and did not note any obvious discrepancies. In a telephone interview with the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC), the pilot stated that during the emergency turn back to the airport, he allowed the airplane to slow below minimum flying speed and, due to close proximity to the ground, was not able to successfully recover the aircraft prior to impacting the terrain. The pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, was not able to determine the reason for the engine's occasional loss of power. The pilot, who was also a mechanic, performed an inspection on the engine and could find a reason for the loss of engine power. The pilot added that he thought the engine malfunction was the result of a carburetor related problem. The airframe and engine had accumulated a total of 175 hours. An automated weather reported station at the Lubbock Preston Smith Airport (KLBB), 32 nautical miles south-east of the accident site, reported at 1253 winds from 060 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 83 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 30.12 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4589](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4589-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 65607, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rodgers Zodiac 601XL - Registry model: [Rodgers Bobby ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/rodgers-bobby-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05619GA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 65607 - Airframe hours: 175 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bobby Rodgers - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2004 - Departed: LLN, LEVELLAND, TX - Destination: Levelland, TX - Airport: LLN, Levelland Muni, runway 35, 6,110 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 287 total, 150 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KLBB, 28 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 20070714012569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070714012569A), Jul 14, 2007: Amtr CH601XL, Levelland, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 14, 2007 at approximately 1400 CDT, a model zodiac 601XL experimental aircraft, departed runway 35 at Levelland, Texas (lln), on a local VFR… 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.