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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 21, 2000 · Zenair CH2000 · N420ZA

Springfield, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 21, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Springfield, IL
Aircraft
Zenair CH2000
Tail Number
N420ZA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA019

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a gate and a fence during a forced landing after takeoff. The pilot said that at about 450 feet agl, "...the engine started to run very erratic with an appreciable loss of thrust...." He said that the engine was not producing enough thrust to maintain level flight. A forced landing was attempted on an airport road. No mechanical malfunction was listed in the pilot's written report. The aircraft engine was examined and the nut that secures the carburetor heat control cable housing was found loose. According to the inspectors report, "... full travel of the carburetor heat valve could not be achieved." A postaccident engine run was conducted and the engine ran at idle power with "slight roughness". Engine speed was increased to 1700 rpm and a magneto check performed with the right magneto showing about a 150-rpm drop, and the left showing about a 125-rpm drop. The engine produced 2400 static rpm at full throttle. The weather report listed the temperature and dew point as 13 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius respectively. According to the Carburetor Icing chart from Transport Canada, this temperature and dew point are in the range for serious icing potential at all power settings.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loose carburetor heat control clamp bolt and carburetor heat not available to the pilot. Factors were the low altitude, the carburetor icing conditions, the fence and the security gate.

Full Narrative

On October 21, 2000, at 0905 central daylight time, a Zenair CH2000, N420ZA, owned and piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a fence during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 31 (7,000 feet by 150 feet dry asphalt) at the Capital Airport, Springfield, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot said that about 450 feet agl, "...the engine started to run very erratic with an appreciable loss of thrust...." The pilot said that the engine was not producing enough thrust to maintain level flight. The pilot attempted a forced landing on an airport road that leads from the airport boundary to the control tower. The aircraft touched down short of the road in a plowed field and then traveled across a perimeter road and onto the road leading to the tower. The aircraft stuck a security gate and then a fence before coming to rest. The pilot listed no mechanical malfunction in his written report. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft. The aircraft engine was examined and the nut that secures the carburetor heat control cable housing was found loose. According to the inspectors report, "... full travel of the carburetor heat valve could not be achieved." A postaccident engine run was conducted and the engine ran at idle power with "slight roughness". Engine speed was increased to 1700 rpm and a magneto check performed with the right magneto showing about a 150-rpm drop, and the left showing about a 125-rpm drop. The engine produced 2400 static rpm at full throttle. The weather report for the Capital Airport at 0854 reported the temperature and dew point as 13 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius respectively. According to the Carburetor Icing chart from Transport Canada, this temperature and dew point are in the range for serious icing potential at all power settings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 CDT
Nearest AirportCapital Airport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZenair CH2000
Tail NumberN420ZA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 116
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 13 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data