# NTSB ERA14CA191: Terry F King Zenith 701, N410KT, La Belle, FL, April 5, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 5, 2014, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: La Belle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.740554, -81.428337
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7406&lon=-81.4283&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89042/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89042
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA191

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed after a total loss of engine power at takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the pilot/owner/builder's improper installation of the magnetos which resulted in the engine power loss.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Terry F King ZENITH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05631V7), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Terry F King ZENITH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05631V7), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md)
- [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Terry F King ZENITH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=05631V7), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Terry F King ZENITH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05631V7), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Terry F King ZENITH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05631V7), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner/builder reported that at 30 to 50 feet above the runway in a steep climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. The airplane "nosed over quickly" and landed hard on the nose wheel, bounced, and landed hard on the nose wheel again, collapsing it, and causing substantial damage to the firewall and airframe. Examination of the airplane's engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that both magnetos were improperly grounded at installation. The installation as found resulted in a degraded performance, and over time, resulted in a complete ignition failure and total loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner/builder reported that at 30 to 50 feet above the runway in a steep climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. The airplane "nosed over quickly" and landed hard on the nose wheel, bounced, and landed hard on the nose wheel again, collapsing it, and causing substantial damage to the firewall and airframe. Examination of the airplane's engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that both magnetos were improperly grounded at installation. The installation as found resulted in a degraded performance, and over time, resulted in a complete ignition failure and total loss of engine power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N410KT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N410KT), registered now, S/N 8565, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TERRY F KING ZENITH 701
- Registry model: [Terry F King ZENITH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/terry-f-king-zenith-701) (registry code 05631V7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (registry code 17125, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 8565
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 58
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King Terry F
- Registered owner: King Terry F
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 12, 2013, 58 hours before
- Departed: X14, La Belle, FL
- Destination: X14, La Belle, FL
- Airport: X14, La Belle Municipal, runway 14, 5,254 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 58 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: RSW, 22 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 20140405005049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140405005049A), Apr 5, 2014: Terry F King ZENITH 701, Labelle, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that after checking the fuel quantity and balance and engine oil, he taxied that aircraft to runway 14 where performed mag checks. When asked…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89042. 1.7 MB in all.

- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 838 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.

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