# NTSB FTW93LA275: Kelm Zenair CH-701, N27DK, South Bend, AR, September 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: South Bend, AR
- Coordinates: 34.860202, -92.120223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8602&lon=-92.1202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA275

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF AVAILABLE RUNWAY ONTO WHICH THE FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF FROM THE PRIVATE STRIP. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE AIRPLANE BACK ONTO THE TAKEOFF RUNWAY. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END INTO A HEDGE ROW. THE PILOT STATED THAT FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY AT IDLE, BUT HE COULD NOT TEST IT AT OTHER POWER SETTINGS.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 1993, at approximately 1715 central daylight time, a Kelm Zenair CH-701, N27DK, was substantially damaged when it collided with a hedge row during a forced landing near South Bend, Arkansas.  The forced landing was executed following a complete power loss. The airplane, flown by a private pilot, was on a local personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot stated that he had taken off from the private strip intending to stay in the traffic pattern.  He further stated that shortly after liftoff, the engine lost power without warning.  He was able to get the airplane back onto the sod runway.  However, the airplane ran off the end into the hedge row.  The pilot stated that following the accident, the engine started and ran normally at idle, but he could not test it at other power settings.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27DK-1993-10-28), registration cancelled 1993-10-28, S/N 71347 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KELM ZENAIR CH-701 (ZENAIR CH-)
- Registry model: [Kelm David ZENAIR CH-701](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelm-david-zenair-ch-701) (registry code 05620QS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-1347
- Engines: ROTAX 582LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelm, David C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Perry Private, runway 36, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 542 total, 95 in this make and model, 542 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- 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 19930929036959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930929036959A), Sep 29, 1993: South Bend, IN, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff, attempted landing on sod runway, ran off the end of runwy, hit hedge line.

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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