# NTSB FTW02LA035: Terry Zenith 801, N54RX, Manvel, TX, November 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2001, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Manvel, TX - Coordinates: 29.48084, -95.34925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4808&lon=-95.3492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53770 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53770/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA035 ## Probable cause loss of engine power while maneuvering for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - roadway/highway - object - vehicle - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was at 1,500 feet msl and maneuvering at a slow airspeed for 7-8 minutes when the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, restarted the engine, and continued the flight toward a nearby airport. Prior to reaching the airport, the engine again lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a highway. Due to traffic on the highway, the pilot had to delayed the landing, which resulted in the airplane continuing towards power lines. As the pilot "quickly landed the airplane," the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop upright on the highway. During an examination of the airplane, 3 inches of fuel was found in both of the fuel tanks, and over 15 gallons of fuel was drained. Upon further inspection of the fuel system, no blockages were found in the fuel lines, and the gascolator was clean. The pilot suspected that a vacuum was created in both of the fuel tanks since there were no fuel tank vents, except for the vents in the fuel caps. The airplane had accumulated 5 hours at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2001, at 1500 central standard time, a Terry Zenith 801 amateur-built airplane, N54RX, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Manvel, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Clover Field Airport, Friendswood, Texas, at 1410. The airplane was maneuvering west of Rosharon, Texas, at 1,500 feet msl, at a slow airspeed for 7-8 minutes when the engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and restarted the engine. The pilot then continued the flight toward the Wolfe Air Park Airport (3T2) located 2 miles northeast of Manvel. Prior to reaching 3T2, the engine again lost power. According to the pilot, "both tanks indicated 1/4+ in fuel quantity." The pilot initiated a forced landing to Highway 6 south of Manvel. Due to traffic on the highway, the pilot had to delay the landing, which resulted in the airplane continuing towards power lines. As the pilot "quickly landed the airplane," the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop upright on the highway. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the firewall was buckled, the nose landing gear was folded under the airplane, and one propeller blade was bent aft. The pilot reported that during the examination of the airplane, "3 inches of fuel was found in both of the fuel tanks, and over 15 gallons of fuel was drained from the airplane. Upon further inspection of the fuel system, no blockages were found in the fuel lines, and the gascolator was clean." The pilot suspects that a vacuum was created in both of the fuel tanks, since there were no fuel tank vents, except for the vents in the fuel caps. The airplane had accumulated 5 hours at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54RX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54RX-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 84347, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Terry Zenith 801 - Registry model: [Terry Rex ZENITH CH 801](https://openairdocs.org/model/terry-rex-zenith-ch-801) (registry code 0561175) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (registry code 17071, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 84347 - Airframe hours: 5 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rex W. Terry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 2, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: LVJ, Friendswood, TX - Destination: 3T2, Manvel, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 2, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 6 in this make and model, 231 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## 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 20011110037559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011110037559A), Nov 10, 2001: Amtr ZENITHCH801, Manvel, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 10, 2001, at 1400 central standard time, a terry zenith 801 amateur built airplane, N54RX, was substantially damaged during a forced landing… 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.