# NTSB ERA18TA263: Zenith CH 750, N752VK, DeLeon Springs, FL, September 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: September 23, 2018, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: DeLeon Springs, FL - Coordinates: 29.139722, -81.343055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1397&lon=-81.3431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 98357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18TA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98357/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98357 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's operation of the airplane with the alternator switch in the off position, which allowed the selected battery to discharge and resulted in an ignition system failure and a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: aC generator-alternator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md?model=05631QY), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05631QY), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05631QY), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: dC indicating system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022437): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Design; cases with it: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022437/cases.md?model=05631QY), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022437/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05631QY), [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: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05631QY), [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: [Knott Vernon W CH 750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631QY), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that, about 15 minutes into the local flight, the engine started "skipping" before completely losing power. He then set up for a forced landing to an open area. During the descent, he maneuvered to clear power lines. The airplane touched down at a steep descent angle, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The airplane's engine used an electronic control unit instead of magnetos and required at least one of the airplane's two onboard batteries to provide electrical energy to the ignition system for the engine to operate. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both of its batteries were discharged. After the batteries were charged, the engine was started and ran normally. The alternator also charged the batteries normally. The cockpit instrument panel switch that enabled the alternator to supply energy to the airplane's electrical system, and thus charge the airplane's batteries, was unlabeled. When the switch was placed in the unlabeled on position, the alternator field wire received power and the alternator charged normally. The pilot reported that he may have inadvertently left it in the off position during the flight. With the switch in this position, the engine would have continued to run until the selected battery lost its charge. The pilot also reported that he did not use a checklist when operating the airplane. It is likely that the pilot failed to activate the airplane's alternator, which resulted in a discharge of the selected battery during the 15-minute flight. The subsequent loss of electrical power eventually resulted in the total loss of engine power. Additionally, the airplane was not equipped with an alternator warning light as recommended by the engine manufacturer. Had the airplane been equipped with such a light, the pilot might have realized that he had failed to turn the alternator on and that it was not providing energy to the electrical system to sustain the charge of the selected battery. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 2018, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Zenith Aircraft Company CH 750, N752VK, was substantially damaged following a forced landing near DeLeon Springs, Florida. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from DeLand Municipal Airport (DED), DeLand, Florida, about 1530.The pilot/owner reported that while over the DeLeon Springs area, the engine started "skipping." The engine then lost all power and the propeller stopped. He set up for a forced landing to an open area. During the descent, he observed power lines and maneuvered to clear them. The airplane touched down at a steep descent angle. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the engine firewall, wings, and vertical stabilizer had structural damage. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane was equipped with two 12v motorcycle batteries, and both were discharged. One battery indicated 0.75 volts and the other indicated 7 volts. Both batteries were then charged by the inspector and a mechanic, who were then able to start the airplane's Viking 110 engine normally. The alternator was found to be charging normally with the engine running and the bus voltage was greater than 13.5 volts. The key-actuated rotary (ignition) switch on the cockpit instrument panel controlled the airplane's alternator and started the airplane's engine was unlabeled. When the switch switch was placed in the unlabeled on position, the alternator field wire received power and the alternator charged normally. When placed to the unlabeled off position, power was removed from the alternator field wire, and the engine continued to run as long as one of the unlabeled battery toggle switches was turned on. The Viking 110 engine manual recommended an alternator warning light installation; however, the inspector noted that there was no light installed. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he may have left the alternator switch in the unlabeled off position by mistake. The pilot also reported that he did not utilize a checklist when operating the airplane. The Viking 110 engine manual reminds operators that the engine is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) versus mechanically operated magnetos and at least one battery must maintain its charge for the engine to operate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N752VK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N752VK-2019-02-02), registration cancelled 2019-02-02, S/N 75-8435, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH CH 750 - Registry model: [Knott Vernon W CH 750](https://openairdocs.org/model/knott-vernon-w-ch-750) (registry code 05631QY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Viking 110](https://openairdocs.org/engine/viking-110) (registry code 63700, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75-8435 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 701 - Engines: Viking 110 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 21, 2017, 55 hours before - Departed: DED, DeLand, FL - Destination: DED, DeLand, FL - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 195 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KDED, 6 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 20180923016419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180923016419A), Sep 23, 2018: Knott Vernon W CH 750, Deleon Springs, FL, Substantial damage. The PIC reported the following: the acft engine lost power in cruise flight, which led to a forced landing to the south in an open field. A steep descent angle… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98357. 7.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement - Strickland (item 2, .PDF, 539 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20-%20Strickland-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement - Lietzke (item 3, .PDF, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20-%20Lietzke-Master.PDF - Correspondence with FAA (item 4, .PDF, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA-Master.PDF - Excerpts - Maintenance Logbook (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Maintenance%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Excerpts - Viking 110 Engine Manual (item 6, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Viking%20110%20Engine%20Manual-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 7, .PDF, 7 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram Provided by FAA (item 8, .PDF, 1 photo, 231 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram%20Provided%20by%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. --- 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.