# NTSB SEA03LA107: Pippert Zenith Air CH 701, N2748, Rochester, WA, June 7, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 2003, 19:30 local (Jun 7, 2003, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, WA
- Coordinates: 46.823055, -123.056388
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8231&lon=-123.0564&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/ Seattle FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA107

## Probable cause

Loose jet in the carburetor while on climb out resulting in a loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor
  - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Hard landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that at a distance of about one mile from the departure airport and at 800 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine lost complete power.  In an effort to avoid trees during the forced landing, the pilot was unable to maintain airspeed which resulted in a "hard" landing which broke the nose wheel axle bolt.  Just before the aircraft stopped, the nose fork dug in and the aircraft nosed over.  The pilot reported that the engine quit because a jet came loose in the carburetor.

## Factual narrative

On June 6, 2003, about 1930 Pacific daylight time, an experimental category Zenith Air CH 701, N2748, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing subsequent to a loss of power near Rochester, Washington.  The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The flight originated from Skatter Creek (20WA), a private airstrip near Rochester.  The pilot's planned destination was Cricket Field (4WA2), Little Rock, Washington.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that after departing Skatter Creek airport, at a distance of about one mile and at 800 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine quit completely.  The pilot reported that in the resulting forced landing, the aircraft landed hard which broke the nose wheel axle bolt.  Just before the aircraft stopped, the nose fork dug in and the aircraft nosed over.  The pilot stated "... engine quit because a jet came loose in the carburetor".  The pilot further stated "... landed hard because after I rounded out to clear the trees, I didn't have enough airspeed and mushed in".  The aircraft was substantially damaged in the nose over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2748](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2748-2021-04-17), registration cancelled 2021-04-17, S/N 74218, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pippert Zenith Air CH 701
- Registry model: [Pippert Nathan ZENITH AIR CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/pippert-nathan-zenith-air-ch-701) (registry code 05611VJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 74218
- Airframe hours: 58.1
- Engines: Continental A-75 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nathan P. Pippert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 20WA, ROCHESTER, WA
- Destination: 4WA2, LITTLE ROCK, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20030606012209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030606012209A), Jun 6, 2003: Amtr CH701, Rochester, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine failed in flight when the carburetor jet backed out of the carburetor.

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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