# NTSB WPR21LA248: Dewsnup Dave Zenair CH 701 SP, N41XY, Chester, CA, June 26, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 26, 2021, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Chester, CA - Coordinates: 40.282361, -121.24116 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2824&lon=-121.2412&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 103358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA248 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA248 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly position of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=05615VV), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05615VV), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05615VV), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05615VV), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05615VV), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the engine sputtered and he discovered that the fuel valve lever was in the OFF position. He moved the fuel selector and fuel pump levers to ON, but the engine lost complete power. The pilot then elected to conduct a forced landing to a marsh field, during which the airplane touched down hard, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The right wing and the rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41XY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41XY), registered now, S/N 7-9394 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEWSNUP DAVE ZENAIR CH 701 SP - Registry model: [Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/dewsnup-dave-zenair-ch-701-sp) (registry code 05615VV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7-9394 - Year built: 2003 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CIC, Chico, CA - Destination: O05, Chester, CA - Airport: O05, Rogers Fld, runway 16/34, 5,020 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 27, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 173 total, 167 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KSVE, 31 nm away - METAR: METAR KSVE 262015Z AUTO 06004KT 7SM CLR 27/M04 A3011 RMK AO2= ## 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 20210626010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210626010929A), Jun 26, 2021: Dewsnup Dave ZENAIR CH 701 SP, Chester, CA, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot stated he experienced an engine power interruption. A check of the fuel selector revealed it was in the off position. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103358. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12683687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20248_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12684425&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20248-Rel.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.