WPR16LA164

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight in an experimental, amateur-built airplane. The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, the voltmeter's indications became erratic and that, shortly after, the airplane experienced a total loss of electrical power. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot conducted an emergency landing, during which the bottom of the fuselage contacted surrounding vegetation. The right wing then dipped, and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot reported that, following the accident, he checked the battery's charge, and it was 11 volts; however, the electrical system on the airplane required 12 to 13 volts for operation. The pilot partially disassembled the airplane following the accident, and the engine, most of the flight instruments, the tachometer, and the interior components were not available for examination. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the airplane's electrical system was not possible. However, the battery examination revealed that it had a 10-volt charge, indicating that either a battery or charging system failure occurred. The fuel delivery system included two electronic fuel pumps connected in series with no mechanical or auxiliary pumps installed. Therefore, the loss of electrical power would have disabled both fuel pumps and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. There was no other method to deliver fuel to the engine if the battery power was insufficient to power the fuel pumps.

On August 12, 2016, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Zenith CH601, N619LD, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground near Ocean Shores, Washington. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Bowerman Airport (HQM), Hoquiam, Washington at 0900. The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight when the voltmeter's indications became erratic. Shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced a complete loss of electrical power, followed by a loss of engine power. He immediately executed an emergency landing, and established the best glide speed at 70 mph. Prior to impact, the bottom of the fuselage contacted surrounding vegetation, the right wing dipped, and the airplane impacted the terrain. The airplane was equipped with an Odyssey Extreme Series PC-680 battery which required a 14.4 charging voltage. In a phone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that had checked the battery's state of charge after the flight, and the battery indicated 11 volts. He added that the electrical system on the airplane requires 12-13 volts for operation. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the airplane's logbook, and the majority of the wreckage. The airplane logbook showed the last condition inspection occurred on September 20, 2015; an Experimental Airworthiness certificate for the purpose of Amateur Built was issued on May 20, 2016. The airplane was in Phase 1 operation test flight, and it was restricted to a 25-mile radius of HQM. The engine, most of the flight instruments, the tachometer, interior components, and damaged canopy pieces were removed by the owner following the accident, and were not present for the examination. The nose gear was bent to the right. The fuselage exhibited compression wrinkles in the top skin between the empennage and the cabin. The right wing was removed, and showed some outboard leading edge damage. The right elevator was significantly damaged. The skin below the horizontal stabilizer was wrinkled. The left aileron and wingtip sustained damage. The main landing gear was partially folded under the fuselage. The battery showed a 10-volt charge. The airplane was equipped with two Facet 12 volt electronic fuel pumps. Both pumps were connected in series; therefore, fuel to the engine had to pass through both pumps. There were no other mechanical or auxiliary pumps installed. The wire and connectors that remained in the fuselage were automotive type. All circuit breakers were observed in, and no overheated wiring or arcing was found. The airplane was powered by a Continental O-200-A engine, serial number 72 JACH-A-48, and was installed on the airplane with about 250 hourssince major overhaul. Initially, the engine was equipped with an external oil filter and an adapter on the oil cooler pad, but the pilot removed the filter assembly and installed the cooler pad cover on the engine case. The oil screen did not contain any metal particles. The carburetor was separated from the engine, and it appeared largely intact. Neither the carburetor bowl nor the accelerator pump contained fuel. The complete statement from the FAA inspector detailing the examination is appended to the accident in the public docket.