# NTSB FTW89DRG10: Zenair CH-200, N14LU, Kerrville, TX, September 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1989, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039304, -99.130691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0393&lon=-99.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRG10

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE WAS ON AN EXTENDED BASE LEG TO LAND WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE ARPT & THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE & CRASHED BEFORE REACHING A CLEAR AREA.  LESS THAN ONE CUP OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.  FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY WAS CONFIRMED BY THE INVESTIGATOR.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF INTERNAL POWERPLANT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14LU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14LU-2014-03-20), registration cancelled 2014-03-20, S/N A194, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ZENAIR CH-200
- Registry model: [Lovasz ZENITH](https://openairdocs.org/model/lovasz-zenith) (registry code 0564928) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: A194
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-F2B 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry Dale Pockrus
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1989, 15 hours before
- Departed: 3TX6, JUSTIN, TX
- Airport: ERV, Louis Schriener Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 850 total, 20 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 60 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 19890916035109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890916035109A), Sep 16, 1989: Amtrlt ZENITH, Kerrville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel near airport. Struck trees while trying to land in a large open field.

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.

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