# NTSB NYC04CA108: Andrews Zenith Tri-Z, N569Z, Kennedy, NY, April 16, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 16, 2004, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Kennedy, NY - Coordinates: 42.016666, -79.361389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0167&lon=-79.3614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel tank selector position which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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 turn - fluid,fuel - starvation - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot performed a touch and go, and as he made a right turn in the traffic pattern, he observed fuel venting from the right wing of the airplane. He then switched the fuel tank selector position from the left tank to the right tank, to burn off fuel from that tank. He flew the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and as he turned onto the base leg, the engine lost power. The pilot then set up for a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees. The pilot stated that when he switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank position, he did not secure the selector into the right tank detent, effectively turning the fuel "off." He reported the accident could be attributed to "pilot error." ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2004, about 1745 eastern daylight time, N569Z, an experimental Zenith Tri-Z airplane, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airfield in Kennedy, New York. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Brokenstraw Airport (P15), Pittsfield, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he performed a touch and go at his private airfield, and as he made a right turn in the traffic pattern, he observed fuel venting from the right wing of the airplane. He then switched the fuel tank selector position from the left tank to the right tank, to burn off fuel from that tank. He flew the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and as he turned onto the base leg, the engine lost power. The pilot was able to restart the engine; however, it lost power again shortly after the restart. The pilot then set up for a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees. The pilot stated that when he switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank position, he did not secure the selector into the right tank detent, effectively turning the fuel "off." He reported the accident could be attributed to "pilot error." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N569Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N569Z-2004-06-30), registration cancelled 2004-06-30, S/N 569, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Andrews Zenith Tri-Z - Registry model: [Andrews Robert L ZENITH TRI-Z](https://openairdocs.org/model/andrews-robert-l-zenith-tri-z) (registry code 05649AA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 569 - Airframe hours: 359 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey Paden - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2003, 59 hours before - Departed: P15, Pittsfield, PA - Destination: NONE, Kennedy, NY - Airport: NONE, Kennedy Airfield, runway 27, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 23, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 212 total, 170 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: JHW, 7 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 20040416035569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040416035569A), Apr 16, 2004: ZENITHCH300, Kennedy, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 16, 2004, at 1745 EDT a zenith CH300 homebuilt N569Z, registred to the pilot [privacy data omitted] collided with trees after the engine stopped… 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.