# NTSB WPR16LA164: Zenith CH601, N619LD, Ocean Shores, WA, August 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2016, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Ocean Shores, WA - Coordinates: 46.992221, -124.140274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9922&lon=-124.1403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 25, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93820/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93820 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA164 ## Probable cause A reduction in electrical power, which disabled both fuel pumps and resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634DZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N619LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N619LD-2016-09-30), registration cancelled 2016-09-30, S/N 66980, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH CH601 - Registry model: [Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601XLB](https://openairdocs.org/model/lonny-d-gunther-zenith-zodiac-601xlb) (registry code 05634DZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 66980 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, May 20, 2016 - Departed: HQM, HOQUIAM, WA - Destination: HQM, HOQUIAM, WA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review March 1, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 720 total, 720 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KHQM, 9 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 20160812017269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160812017269A), Aug 12, 2016: Lonny D Gunther ZENITH ZODIAC 601 XLB, Ocean Shores, WA, Substantial damage. On August 12, 2016, at approximately 0900, aircraft departed hoquiam airport (hqm) using runway 24 aboard his amateur-built zodiac 601 xlb. He proceeded his… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93820. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement/Exam (item 3, .PDF, 727 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%2FExam-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 5 photos): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.