# NTSB ERA17TA196: Ernest T Christley Zenith Zodiac 601XL, N167EZ, Sanford, NC, May 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: May 29, 2017, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sanford, NC - Coordinates: 35.443611, -79.111114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4436&lon=-79.1111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17TA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95307/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95307 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17TA196 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of a threaded metal rod of insufficient strength to connect the fuel tank selector handle to the fuel valve, which resulted in his inability to switch fuel tanks and a subsequent total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05635HH), [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: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05635HH), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot, who was the builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine experienced a total loss of power. He noted that the right fuel tank was empty and that the fuel selector handle was on the left tank. He attempted a restart; however, this was unsuccessful, and he performed a forced landing in a field. The nose landing gear collapsed during the landing roll, resulting in structural damage to the lower fuselage and engine firewall. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tank selector handle was on the left tank but the fuel valve remained on the empty right tank. Further examination of the hardware revealed that a threaded metal rod that the pilot installed to connect the tank selector handle to the fuel valve "twisted like bubble gum" when rotated and would not turn the fuel valve. The pilot, who was the airplane builder, used a thinner rod than specified due to an interference problem. This rod was not part of the airplane kit and was improvised by the pilot. The pilot reported that the handle/valve assembly had operated normally during initial testing. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2017, at 1330 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601XL, N167EZ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Sanford, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and 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 local flight originated at Deck Airpark (NC11), Apex, North Carolina at 1145.The pilot reported that he was returning to his home airport, at 6,000 feet mean sea level, when the engine lost all power. He noticed that the right fuel tank was empty; however, he thought that the engine was feeding from the left tank. He attempted a restart, and the engine momentarily started, then lost power again. Unable to restart the engine, he performed a forced landing in a plowed field. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The nose gear collapsed during the forced landing, resulting in structural damage to the lower fuselage and engine firewall. The engine and propeller were undamaged. The right fuel tank was empty and the left tank contained fuel. The fuel tank selector handle in the cockpit was found at the left tank position; however, the fuel tank valve remained in the right tank position and could not be moved to the left tank position. The fuel tank selector valve hardware was examined. The connection between the tank selector handle and the fuel valve consisted of a threaded metal rod, about one foot in length. The pilot, who was the airplane builder, reported that the rod "twisted like bubble gum" when the handle was rotated without changing the position of the valve. He used a thinner rod due to an interference problem during construction. The rod was not part of the airplane kit and was improvised by the pilot. The pilot reported that the handle/valve assembly operated normally during initial testing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N167EZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N167EZ), registered now, S/N 4942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERNEST T CHRISTLEY ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL - Registry model: [Ernest T Christley ZENITH ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/ernest-t-christley-zenith-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05635HH) (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: 4942 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 60 - Engines: Chevrolet Corvair 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 12, 2016, 60 hours before - Departed: NC11, Apex, NC - Destination: NC11, Apex, NC - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 11, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 147 total, 60 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TTA, 4 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 20170529008959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170529008959A), May 29, 2017: Zenith ZODIAC, Sanford, NC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was flying in Sanford, NC. When his engine quit. He switched his fuel tank and tried a restart with no avail. He spotted a field to land… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95307. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Telephone Call with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Telephone%20Call%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Correspondence with Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Correspondence%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 7 photos, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.