# NTSB LAX08LA056: Smith Zodiac 601XL, N601KS, Murrieta, CA, February 1, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 2008, 11:16 local (19:16 UTC) - Place: Murrieta, CA - Coordinates: 33.579166, -117.116668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5792&lon=-117.1167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67463/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA056 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which was induced by the electrical system lacking sufficient power to run all of the electrical devices on the airplane and the electrical fuel pump. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05903X8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff climb, the engine was starved of fuel and lost power. Following the power loss, the pilot activated the auxiliary fuel pump and tried unsuccessfully to restart the engine. The pilot was turning in a 10-degree bank toward an off-airport emergency landing site in open terrain, when the left main landing gear touched down first on the upsloping terrain. About 50 feet from the initial touchdown, the nose landing gear dug into the soft terrain and separated, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. The pilot reported that prior to the loss of power, the fuel pressure gage went to zero and he received a low fuel pressure warning. He further reported that on the daytime flight, he was operating all of his electrical systems; strobes, transponder, and radios. He said he believed that with the full operation of all the electrical devices, the electrically driven fuel pump did not have sufficient amperage to run. An inspection of the airplane revealed that the carburetor bowl was empty; even though there was fuel onboard the airplane. With the fuel pump not operating, fuel was not being supplied to the carburetor, thus allowing the engine to lose power as a result of fuel starvation. When functionally checked the fuel pump operated normally. The pilot reported that there was no recent maintenance done on the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 2008, at 1116 Pacific standard time, a single engine experimental Smith Zodiac 601XL, N601KS, experienced a loss of engine power on takeoff and came to rest nose down in an open field following an emergency landing adjacent to French Valley Airport (F70), Murrieta/Temecula, California. The pilot/owner operated the personal local area flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he was going to fly locally in the area. He had flown the airplane about a month prior to the accident and encountered no problems. On the accident flight, the preflight was normal, and the run-up was "good." He reported that on the takeoff roll all of the gages were in the "green." He rotated the airplane at 65 miles per hour (mph), and established a normal climb rate to about 200 feet above ground level (agl), when the engine lost power and quit. The pilot stated that he activated the auxiliary fuel pump, and tried unsuccessfully to restart the engine. The pilot stated that he banked the airplane to the left about 30 degrees and selected a landing site, while maintaining 75 mph. He noted that the terrain was undulating at his chosen landing site and he aimed for relatively flat terrain. About 2 feet above the ground he flared for landing; however, the airplane was still in a left bank about 10 degrees and the left main landing gear touched down on slightly upsloping soft terrain. About 50 feet from the initial touchdown, the nose landing gear touched down and dug into the soft dirt; it separated at the strut. The airplane spun around 180 degrees from its original direction of travel, the wing tips touched down and the airplane stopped and came to rest in a nose low attitude. The forward cockpit, engine, and cowl were damaged. The pilot also stated that there had been no recent maintenance on the airplane. In a follow-up interview with the pilot, he reported that the fuel pressure gage went to zero and he received a low fuel pressure warning just prior to the engine failure. The pilot stated that he believed the electrical system was overpowered with the operation of strobes, transponder, radios, and other systems; he stated that he was "running it all." When he checked the carburetor he noted that there was no fuel in the carburetor bowl. The pilot stated that the fuel pump quit as a result of an electrical drain. In turn there was no fuel being supplied to the carburetor and thus the rest of the fuel system was starved of fuel allowing the engine to quit. He functionally checked the fuel pump and indicated that it operated normally. The pilot further reported that there was fuel onboard the airplane. According to a responding deputy from Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the airplane came to rest about 1/4 mile southeast of the airport. The right wing was "smashed" and had multiple dents, the landing gear had separated from the airplane, and the front end of the airplane had sustained damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N601KS-2023-06-28), registration cancelled 2023-06-28, S/N 6-5930, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith Zodiac 601XL - Registry model: [Smith Kenneth R ZODIAC 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-kenneth-r-zodiac-601xl) (registry code 05903X8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6-5930 - Engines: General Motors Corvair/T1123 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth R Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2007 - Departed: F70, Murrieta/Temecu, CA - Destination: F70 - Airport: F70, French Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 13 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: F70, 1 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 20080201011819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080201011819A), Feb 1, 2008: Amtr CH601XL, Temecula, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft took off on runway 18 at approx. 1100. A few minutes after take off the fall of lost fuel pressure was noted by the pilot. The engine quit… ## Other investigations on N601KS (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR22FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA048), Nov 23, 2021: Zenith Zodiac CH601XL (N601KS), Temecula, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch… 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.