# NTSB ERA25LA327: Mark Strout Zenair Zodiac 601HDS, N680LM, Connerton, FL, September 1, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report - Date: September 1, 2025, 16:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Connerton, FL · Field 1nm North of X05 - Coordinates: 28.3447, -82.49449 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3447&lon=-82.4945&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA327 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200910/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA327 ## Preliminary report On September 01, 2025 about 1605 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601 HDS, N680LM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Connerton, Florida. The pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he planned to provide rides to four relatives, each on a separate 15-minute flight with a departure from and return to Pilot Country Airport (X05), Brooksville, Florida. In preparation for these flights, the pilot purchased 3 gallons of 89 octane automotive fuel. After he added the fuel, he estimated the airplane's total fuel to be 9.8 gallons prior to the first flight. Before the passengers arrived, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and did not notice any abnormalities. On the first two flights, the pilot noted normal engine performance, including normal temperature and pressure readings. The first flight’s duration was 16 minutes, while the second was 12 minutes. The pilot estimated that the total fuel onboard for the accident flight was 6 to 7 gallons. The pilot stated that the airplane’s cruise fuel consumption was 3.8 to 4.0 gallons per hour (gph), and that the 4 gallons of fuel was sufficient for the upcoming 15-minute flight. The pilot departed on the third flight at 1601. He did not notice anything abnormal during the ground roll or with the initial climb rate. About 420 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot reported “the engine suddenly stopped without any warning.” He further explained there were “no abnormal noises, vibrations or power deviations” prior to the loss of engine power. He then adjusted the airplane’s pitch attitude for best glide speed, turned into the wind and prepared for an off-field landing. The pilot attempted to restart the engine twice but was unsuccessful, though he did note that the starter was functioning during these attempts. He then performed a forced landing in a nearby field. During the landing sequence, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot was able to self-extricate, then helped his passenger through the airplane’s shattered canopy. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage at the scene of the accident and observed substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and rudder of the airplane. Fuel was found in both wing tanks and the fuselage-mounted tank. The header tank was not examined. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mark Strout ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05642Y5), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N680LM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N680LM), registered now, S/N 6-3635, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MARK STROUT ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS - Registry model: [Mark Strout ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/mark-strout-zenair-zodiac-601hds) (registry code 05642Y5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Viking 130](https://openairdocs.org/engine/viking-130) (registry code 63998, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6-3635 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 261.9 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2024, 62 hours before - Departed: X05, BROOKSVILLE, FL, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: X05, Pilot Country, runway 36, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 13 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KBKV, 8 nm away - METAR: METAR KBKV 011953Z 04013G23KT 10SM FEW050 31/23 A2991 RMK AO2 PK WND 05027/1920 SLP128 T03110228= ## 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 20250901012379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250901012379A), Sep 1, 2025: Mark Strout ZENAIR ZODIAC 601HDS, Spring, FL, Substantial damage. Incident aircraft departed Pilot Country Airport (XO5) at 1601 on September 1, 2025 with the intention of flying a 15 minute flight around the airfield. When… 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.