# NTSB ERA09LA446: Lobb Kenneth CH 701, N75644, Murfreesboro, TN, August 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2009, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Murfreesboro, TN - Coordinates: 35.976665, -86.356941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9767&lon=-86.3569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA446 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74472/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74472 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA446 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the alternator drive gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05625D0), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane, about 15 minutes after departing the airport, and while flying approximately 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot immediately established the airplane in a glide, and began looking for a suitable landing site. He asked the passenger to attempt an engine restart, but the passenger was not successful. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a pasture, which caused the nose landing gear to buckle and resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the alternator drive gear had sheared and jammed the accessory drive gears. Additionally, the alternator drive gear retaining nut did not have a cotter pin locking device installed, likely allowing the nut to back off. The airframe had accumulated 43 total hours since being assembled and the engine had accumulated 46 total hours since the most recent overhaul. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2009, about 1030 central daylight time, an amateur-built CH 701 experimental light sport aircraft, N75644, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MBT), Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was destined for Smyrna Airport (MQY), Smyrna, Tennessee. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he and his passenger had previously flown from his home base at MQY to MBT without incident. Later in the day, the pilot performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up for the return flight to MQY. About 15 minutes after departing MBT, and while flying approximately 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine "stopped." The pilot immediately established the airplane in a glide, and began looking for a suitable landing site. The pilot asked the passenger to attempt an engine restart, but the passenger was not successful. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a pasture, during which the nose landing gear buckled, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. An examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the alternator drive gear had sheared off, and had become lodged in the accessory drive gears, jamming them. Additionally, the alternator drive gear retaining nut, which was found in the engine oil sump, did not have a cotter pin locking device installed. According to the FAA records, the experimental amateur-built airplane was certificated in 2008. The pilot stated that the airplane had accumulated 43 total hours of operation since that time. The airplane’s most recent condition inspection was completed on August 1, 2009, and the airplane had accumulated 3 hours of operation since that time. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 46 total hours, and 43 hours since its last overhaul. According to the pilot, he held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported 550 total hours of flight experience, 6 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. The 1153 recorded weather observation at MQY, located 11 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, included variable winds from 110 degrees at 5 knots, 6 statute miles visibility in haze, clear skies, temperature 31 degrees C, dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.18 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75644](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75644-2018-03-19), registration cancelled 2018-03-19, S/N 7008, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOBB KENNETH CH 701 - Registry model: [Lobb Kenneth CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/lobb-kenneth-ch-701) (registry code 05625D0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7008 - Airframe hours: 44 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2009 - Departed: MBT, Murfreesboro, TN - Destination: MQY, Smyrna, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 6 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 11 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 20090807016549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090807016549A), Aug 7, 2009: Amtr CH701, Rutherford, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft in straight and level flight at approximately 1700 feet MSL when engine quit for unknown reason. Passenger tried to restart engine and was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74472. 661 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.