# NTSB ERA17LA016: Hatcher Roderick R CH701, N3701M, Albrightsville, PA, October 15, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 2016, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Albrightsville, PA - Coordinates: 40.974998, -75.536666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9750&lon=-75.5367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Jabiru USA - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 94222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94222/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94222 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA016 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05630K7), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05630K7), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05630K7), [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: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630K7), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05630K7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that the airplane had been flying uneventfully for about 40 minutes when it lurched and the engine experienced a partial, then total, loss of power. He placed the carburetor heat control to the high setting and established the airplane's best glide airspeed. The pilot then attempted to restart the engine. Although it initially started, the engine would not develop power and shut down after a few seconds. Two additional restart attempts were also unsuccessful, and the pilot subsequently performed a forced landing into trees. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine, which included an engine test run, did not reveal evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and there was sufficient fuel onboard at the time of the accident. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the engine was operating at a cruise power setting at the time of the power loss and the pilot applied carburetor heat at the first indication of a problem, which did not restore engine power. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 2016, about 1540 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith CH701, N3701M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and one passenger had minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Benton Airport (PA40), Benton, Pennsylvania about 1455, and was destined for Pegasus Air Park (50PA), Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.The pilot reported that he was about 8 minutes from landing and preparing to descend from 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl) to 1,400 feet msl. The airplane made a "slight lurch" and the engine rpm dropped, followed by a complete loss of power. He placed the carburetor heat to the high setting and established best glide airspeed of 50 to 55 mph. The fuel selector valve was checked, and an engine restart was attempted. The engine initially started; however, it would not develop power and shut down after a few seconds. A second restart was attempted with the same results. A third restart was attempted, and the engine would turn over but not start. The pilot slowed the airplane as much as possible and prepared for a forced landing into trees. The airplane settled into the trees and came to a stop on its left side. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and were met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage was confirmed. An examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction, fuel blockage, or fuel contamination. The pilot reported that the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off earlier that day with about 20 gallons of fuel, and there were about 15 gallons on board the airplane when the accident flight began. The airplane was equipped with a Dynon FlightDEK D-180 electronic flight information system (EFIS) and a Garmin GPSMap196, both of which captured the accident flight. According to recovered data, the flight began at 1454 and terminated at 1539. A review of the Dynon engine monitor data showed that engine parameters were normal and stabilized until a decrease in rpm, oil pressure, cylinder head temperature, oil temperature, and exhaust gas temperature simultaneously occurred about 1535:30. The EFIS also confirmed there was fuel in both wing tanks when the loss of engine power occurred. The airplane was a high wing, tricycle landing gear, short takeoff and landing (STOL) design. It was equipped with a Jabiru 3300A engine and a Sensenich fixed pitch propeller. The total aircraft time at the time of the accident was about 60 hours. The engine was sent to the Jabiru USA facility at Shelbyville, Tennessee for furtherexamination and a test run. There was some impact damage to the engine. The engine mounts were bent and the propeller flange had a very slight deformation. The carburetor was filled with oil due to the engine being shipped inverted. The carburetor was removed and the oil was cleaned out. There was no water and no contaminants inside the carburetor other than the engine oil. The carburetor was then reinstalled. The No. 3 cylinder rocker cover was dented from impact and was replaced with a spare for the run. Dried blue residue with the appearance of fuel staining was observed on the outside of the carburetor bowl; however, the carburetor did not leak. The engine started on the first attempt after engaging the starter for about 2 seconds. The engine initially emitted oily smoke (a light blue/gray color) which cleared after about 8 seconds of operation. The engine was run for about 6 minutes and 30 seconds with no anomalies noted. The engine was run to a peak rpm of 2,670 and oil temperature and pressure were within the green bands. The run was subsequently terminated by the investigation team. Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport (MPO) was located about 12 miles northeast of the accident site. At 1553, about 14 minutes after the accident, the temperature and dew point were 57° and 36° F, respectively. According to the carburetor icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, the temperature/dew point conditions were conducive to serious icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3701M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3701M-2018-08-01), registration cancelled 2018-08-01, S/N 7038, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HATCHER RODERICK R CH701 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hatcher Roderick R CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/hatcher-roderick-r-ch701) (registry code 05630K7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7038 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 65 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 18, 2016, 65 hours before - Departed: PA40, Benton, PA - Destination: 50PA, Stroudsburg, PA - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 4, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 530 total, 56 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: MPO, 12 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 20161015024729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161015024729A), Oct 15, 2016: Hatcher Roderick R CH701, Albrghtsville, PA, Substantial damage. During cruise flight aircraft engine began to loose power and eventually lost power completely. Aircraft landed in wooded area, no open fields or roads were… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94222. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - NTSB Engine Examination (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20NTSB%20Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 - Carburetor Icing Prevention (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464054&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Special%20Airworthiness%20Information%20Bulletin%20CE-09-35%20-%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Electronic Devices Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 2 photos, 631 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Electronic%20Devices%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Attachment 1 to Electronic Devices Factual Report (item 8, .CSV, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464057&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20to%20Electronic%20Devices%20Factual%20Report-Master.csv - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 10, .PDF, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-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. --- 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.