# NTSB MIA97LA112: Charles J. Keuthan Zephyr II, N52958, Bunnell, FL, March 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1997, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Bunnell, FL - Coordinates: 29.460636, -81.250251 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4606&lon=-81.2503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38240 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38240/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA112 ## Probable cause Inadvertent stall/mush by the pilot while maneuvering for a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a partial failure of the top compression ring of one of the cylinders. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,ring - failure,partial (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During the initial climb the engine experienced a partial loss of power due to a partial failure of the top compression ring of one of the cylinders. While maneuvering for a forced landing, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1997, about 1745 eastern standard time, a homebuilt Zephyr II, N52958, registered to a private individual, collided with terrain following an in-flight loss of control during a forced landing after takeoff from the Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from the Flagler County Airport. The pilot stated that during the upwind leg after takeoff about 300 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced an rpm drop from 6,200 to between 2,500 and 3,000. He then initiated a turn downwind and then again turned upwind and when the flight was about 75 feet agl, he encountered loss of elevator control. The airplane then descended nose low and impacted the ground adjacent to the intended touchdown location. Postcrash examination of the engine revealed a 1/4 inch section of the top compression ring was missing with an associated scar on the piston. Fuel contamination was not noted and there was no evidence of detonation or blockage of the air filter. Both the choke levers were determined to be closed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52958-2001-12-20), registration cancelled 2001-12-20, S/N Z2AK018, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Charles J. Keuthan ZEPHYR II - Registry model: [Keuthan Charles J ZEPHYR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/keuthan-charles-j-zephyr-ii) (registry code 05624WA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Z2AK018 - Engines: Rotax 582 66 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard R. Whitson - Registered owner: Charles Keuthan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: X47 - Airport: X47, Flagler County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 100 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 18 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 19970331010049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970331010049A), Mar 31, 1997: Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. Lost partial power in pattern then lost elevator contol. Impacted nose low. Broken piston ring. (-23) the PIC reported a power loss at 200', during climb. He… 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.