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NTSB Report
August 21, 1993 · Kope Zenith CH200 Zenith CH2 · N456K
Waterville, WA
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Waterville, WA
Aircraft
Kope Zenith CH200 Zenith CH2
Tail Number
N456K
Operator
Kope Ray D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA93LA202
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP.
Full 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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 PDT
Nearest Airport1nm ENE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftKope Zenith CH200 Zenith CH2
Tail NumberN456K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKope Ray D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO