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June 15, 2005 · Thomas Zenith CH701 · N613DT

Redford, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Redford, MI
Aircraft
Thomas Zenith CH701
Tail Number
N613DT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05LA143

The amateur-built airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a golf course after a loss of engine thrust. The pilot reported that he had flown for about one hour when he heard and felt a loud "bang" from the front of the engine. The engine lost power. He reported that he immediately declared a "MAYDAY" and executed a forced landing to a golf course. During the landing rollout he encountered rough terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that all three wooden propeller blades had separated from the propeller hub. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the engine exhibited continuity and thumb compression. The two carburetors were found separated from their respective rubber couplers. Two of three propeller blades were recovered. The propeller hub and the two propeller blades were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory for inspection. The inspection revealed that both blades appeared to be in good condition, with only a few small, shallow dents on the surface and no splintering or other damage to the blade tip or leading edge. The fracture of the wood of the three propeller blade root ends appeared to have fractured in shear stress. Calculations indicated that normal operation of the engine would produce a shear stress of 741 psi on the propeller blades. In the manufacturer's product testing, the blade retention had not failed until the application of about 2,200 psi. The number 1 propeller blade was not recovered which precluded its inspection for failure or defects.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine thrust was the result of the propeller blades overstress separation from the propeller hub for an undetermined reason. An additional cause was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 2005, at 0900 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Thomas Zenith CH701, N613DT, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a golf course near Redford, Michigan, after a loss of engine thrust. The private pilot was not injured. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight departed Harsens Island (Z92), Michigan, at 0800 and was en route to Defiance, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane on the morning of the accident. The airplane was issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate on July 22, 2004. The first 40 hours of operation was signed off on October 11, 2004. The last conditional inspection was conducted on March 24, 2005. The airplane had a total time of 58.2 hours at the last inspection. The pilot reported that he departed Z92 and climbed to 2,000 feet mean sea level and obtained flight following from the Detroit Approach Control. He reported that he had flown for about one hour when he heard and felt a loud "bang" from the front of the airplane. The engine quit. He reported he immediately declared a "MAYDAY" to approach control. He executed a forced landing to a golf course. During landing rollout he encountered rough terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that all three wooden propeller blades had separated from the propeller hub. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. The inspector reported that the engine exhibited continuity and thumb compression. The two carburetors were found separated from their respective rubber couplers. Two of three propeller blades were recovered. The propeller hub and the two propeller blades were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory for inspection. The NTSB Material's Laboratory reported that the fracture surfaces of the wood on the root ends of the number 2 and number 3 propeller blades were uniform with a small amount of splintering. Small discontinuities in the fracture surface also occurred in the transitions between layers of wood. The wood of the root ends was not discolored and did not show any evidence of excess moisture or rot. Both blades appeared to be in good condition, with only a few small, shallow dents on the surface and no splintering or other damage to the blade tip or leading edge. The mating wooden fracture surface, inside the plastic insert, showed a similarly small incidence of splintering. The fracture of the wood of the three propeller blade root ends appeared to have fractured in shear stress. Calculations indicted that normal operation of the engine would produce a shear stress of 741 psi on the propeller blades. In the manufacturer's product testing, the blade retention had not failed until the application of about 2,200 psi. The number 1 propeller blade was not recovered which precluded its inspection for failure or defects.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThomas Zenith CH701
Tail NumberN613DT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 S · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.59 inHg
Observation Time12:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data