# NTSB SEA93LA202: Kope Zenith CH200, N456K, Waterville, WA, August 21, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1993, 17:10 local (Aug 21, 1993, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Waterville, WA
- Coordinates: 47.690364, -119.879615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6904&lon=-119.8796&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 August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA202

## Probable cause

A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - disabled
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF IN THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT LATER REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN APPARENT SHORT IN THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP.

## Factual narrative

On August 20, 1993, at 1710 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt Ray D. Kope, Zenith CH 200, N456K, lost engine power shortly after take off from Waterville, Washington.  The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field.  During the landing roll, the airplane was substantially damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The pilot was seriously injured.

The pilot stated that the airplane had accumulated approximately 41 hours since it was completed and no problems were reported during the test flights.

In the pilot's written statement, he reported that "there was an apparent short in the wiring to the fuel pump."  No other malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N456K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N456K-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N A124, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KOPE ZENITH CH200 (ZENITH CH2)
- Registry model: [Kope Ray D ZENITH CH200](https://openairdocs.org/model/kope-ray-d-zenith-ch200) (registry code 05623FQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: A124
- Airframe hours: 41
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kope, Ray D.
- Registered owner: Kope, Ray D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 17, 1993

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 660 total, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19930820029909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930820029909A), Aug 20, 1993: Amtrlt ZENITH, Waterville, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed off airport. Short in wiring to fuel pump.

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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