# NTSB WPR11FA333: Davidson Zenith Stol CH701, N701RD, Glendale, OR, July 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2011, 17:05 local (Jul 18, 2011, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Glendale, OR - Coordinates: 42.773334, -123.311111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7733&lon=-123.3111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11FA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA333 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airplane control during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valves were in the correct position for flight during the preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05621BT), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621BT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05621BT), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05621BT), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05621BT), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had been flying in the traffic pattern before landing, shutting down, and subsequently taking on a passenger for a short flight. Witnesses reported that, after takeoff, the airplane reached an altitude of 500 feet and that the engine then sputtered and lost power. The airplane then turned steeply left and descended rapidly. The airplane partially rolled out of the turn, but the descent rate was not arrested, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain. Witnesses responded to the accident site and heard the fuel pump operating; however, they did not see or smell fuel in the area. The left wing root fuel valve was found in the "off" position, and the right wing root fuel valve was found nearly in the "off" position. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were nearly full with fuel. However, the fuel hoses removed downstream of the fuel valves were found empty. No evidence was found of a mechanical malfunction or failure with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. If the pilot had performed a preflight or run-up inspection before takeoff, which would have included checking the fuel valve positions, he might have noted that the fuel valves were in the "off" position. The toxicology results indicated the pilot had used lorazepam (an antianxiety medication); however, due to the low levels detected, it is unlikely that it was impairing at the time of the accident. It could not be determined whether the underlying medical condition caused impairment and contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 17, 2011, about 1705 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Davidson Zenith STOL CH701, N701RD, experienced a loss of engine power and impacted terrain near the Nace Family Airstrip (OG41), Glendale, Oregon. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that was departing at the time of the accident. Prior to the accident, the pilot flew the airplane in the pattern. He landed and shut down the airplane. He asked the landing strip owner if he wanted to take a short flight with him, but the owner declined. It was suggested that the pilot take another passenger on a short flight. According to witnesses, they watched the airplane take off and climb to an estimated altitude of 500 feet when the engine sputtered and quit. The witnesses further stated that the airplane made a steep left turn back toward the runway. During the turn, the airplane descended rapidly and impacted terrain about a 1/4 mile from the end of the runway. The witnesses stated that the airplane had partially come out of the turn, but the rate of descent was not arrested. Witnesses responded to the accident site, and reported hearing the fuel pump working, but did not see or smell any fuel around the accident area. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 66, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. There was no personal flight records located for the pilot. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airmen medical records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, indicated that the pilot did not hold a medical certificate. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The experimental amateur built two-seat, high wing, fixed-gear airplane, N701RD, serial number 7-5721, was manufactured in 2006. It was powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine, and equipped with a three-bladed Warp Drive model 70R-3BLD fixed-pitch propeller. According to the airplane manufacturer, the airplane met the design definition of a light sport aircraft (LSA) for operation under the FAA's sport pilot/LSA category. No airplane logbooks were made available to the NTSB. The Hobbs hour-meter read 339.9 hours. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An NTSB investigator and an FAA inspector responded to the accident site. They observed the main fuel valve in the ON position by the pilot's knee. The left wing root fuel valve was in the OFF position. The right wing fuel valve was in a position near the OFF position; the NTSB investigator determined it was approximately 7 degrees from being in the full OFF position. Manual movement of the fuel valve handle indicated that from the full ON to full OFF positions; it is a 90-degree rotation of thehandle. The fuel hose was cut below the fuel valve, with a slow dripping of fuel observed passing through the hose. Downstream of the valves the lines were empty. Also empty were the fuel sump tank, the fuel filter, and the carburetor bowls of both carburetors. The fuel pump switch was in the ON position. Both fuel tanks were nearly full with aviation 100-LL fuel. Flight control continuity was established from each wing root to the flight controls. As a result of damage to the cockpit area, investigators were not able to establish a full continuity check. No other mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The FAA's Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot, findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and volatiles were negative. The toxicology report was positive for the following tested drugs: Amlodipine detected in urine, Amlodipine detected in blood, ibuprofen detected in urine, 0.096 (ug/mL, ug/g) Lorazepam detected in urine, Lorazepam detected in blood, Metoprolol detected in urine, Metoprolol detected in blood. A postmortem examination was conducted by the Office of the State of Oregon Medical Examiner. The cause of death was reported as blunt force chest trauma. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701RD-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 7-5721, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVIDSON ZENITH STOL CH701 - Registry model: [Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/davidson-richard-s-zenith-stol-ch701) (registry code 05621BT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-5721 - Engines: ROTAX SEE BOMBADIER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bradley Thomas J - Registered owner: Bradley Thomas J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: OG41, Azalea, OR - Destination: OG41, Azalea, OR - Airport: OG41, Nace Family Airstrip, runway 04, 1,330 × 30 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: RBG, 30 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 20110717015129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110717015129A), Jul 17, 2011: Davidson Richard S ZENITH STOL CH701, Glendale, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. According to witnesses N701RD departed Nace Family Airstrip climbing to an altitude about 500 feet AGL. Witness said the engine started sputtering and the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81143. 553 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Nace (item 1, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Nace-Master.PDF - Witness Interview - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20-%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Airframe and Engine Exam Report (item 3, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Exam%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report - Bradley (item 4, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Bradley-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report - Steffan (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20-%20Steffan-Master.PDF 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.