# NTSB ERA25LA030: Zenith Zodiac 601 HDS, N511JG, Altoona, PA, October 17, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 17, 2024, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Altoona, PA · Runway 3 - Coordinates: 40.296361, -78.320028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2964&lon=-78.3200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195410/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195410 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA030 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a deteriorated gascolator gasket. Contributing was the failure of the mechanic to replace the gasket during the most recent condition inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05612K2), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, as the airplane was climbing through 300 ft above ground level, the engine misfired, then suddenly stopped producing power. Unable to troubleshoot due to the low altitude, the pilot lowered the nose and attempted a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane landed hard, collapsing the landing gear and damaging the wings and airframe. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any engine anomalies; however, an examination of the fuel system revealed the fuel gascolator was installed partially outside of the engine compartment, exposing it to the air slipstream. The gascolator exhibited features consistent with a fuel leak. The gascolator bowl was not completely secure to the upper portion of the gascolator and it leaked fuel when touched by hand. The most recent engine maintenance was completed about 10 days before the accident and, although the fuel gascolator gasket was not mentioned in the logbook entry, a fuel system inspection was documented. The condition of the gasket would have warranted replacement. The gascolator bowl gasket was stiff and cracked, which likely allowed fuel to leak out during the flight, starving the engine of fuel. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted in a loss of engine power and hard landing. ## Factual narrative On October 17, 2024, at 1515 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601HDS airplane, N511JG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The private pilot reported that there were no irregularities noted with the airplane during the preflight inspection, engine run-up, or taxi before departing from runway 3 at Altoona/Blair County Airport (AOO), Altoona, Pennsylvania. The pilot intended to remain in the airport traffic pattern; however, during the initial climb, when the airplane was climbing through 300 ft above ground level, the engine started to “misfire,” then immediately stopped producing power. Unable to troubleshoot due to the low altitude, the pilot lowered the nose and attempted a forced landing on the remaining runway. The airplane landed hard and the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in the wings and airframe buckling. The airplane then skidded to a stop on the side of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed signatures to the propeller that were consistent with a lack of rotation during the impact; the engine was intact. Engine crankshaft and valvetrain continuity was established and compression was attained on each cylinder. Both magnetos produced spark at each of the posts. A subsequent examination of the fuel system revealed 10 gallons of fuel on board. In addition, the fuel gascolator was installed partially outside of the engine compartment, exposing it to the air slipstream. The gascolator exhibited features consistent with a fuel leak. The gascolator bowl was not completely secure to the upper portion of the gascolator and it would leak fuel when lightly touched by hand. The gascolator was opened and the gasket at the top of the bowl was found to be stiff and cracked. A review of maintenance records documented an annual condition inspection had been completed about 10 days before the accident. The logbook entry did not document any maintenance or inspection to the gascolator specifically, but the fuel system inspection was documented and tested, yielding no leaks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N511JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N511JG), registered now, S/N 6-3331, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenith Zodiac 601 HDS - Registry model: [Gosselin Mark J ZODIAC 601 HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/gosselin-mark-j-zodiac-601-hds) (registry code 05612K2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-3331 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 222 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 6, 2024, 1 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AOO, Altoona/Blair County, runway 03/21, 5,465 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 669 total, 334 in this make and model, 669 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: AOO - METAR: KAOO 171853Z AUTO 36008G17KT 10SM CLR 16/M01 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP253 T01561006 ## 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 20241017016379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241017016379A), Oct 17, 2024: Zenith 601, Martinsburg, PA, Substantial damage. On Thursday October 17th, 2024, at approxamatley 1417 eastern standard time an experimental zodiac 601 hds, [privacy data omitted], was involved in an accident… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195410. 28.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 10.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18093286&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpt (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 9.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18093629&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpt (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18093619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA examination summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 400 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18097384&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Examination%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18093405&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Airplane%20Damage%20N511JG-Rel.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.