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NTSB Report

May 16, 2019 · Zenith CH750 STOL · N750GZ

Savannah, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Savannah, TN
Aircraft
Zenith CH750 STOL (2018)
Tail Number
N750GZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19LA177

The pilot was conducting a personal flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane, and after departing the local area, noticed the DC electrical bus voltage decrease from 13.6 volts to 12.5 volts. He initiated a turn back to the airport and about 2 minutes later, the DC bus voltage decreased to 0 volts and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was constructed such that the engine was electrically dependent on a single alternator and a single battery to provide required electrical power to operate the fuel pump and ignition systems. Examination of the airplane revealed that the alternator circuit breaker, which was located behind the instrument panel and out of view of and inaccessible to the pilot, was tripped. Based on the pilot's description of events, it is likely that an electrical load drew an excessive current through the alternator circuit breaker, which resulted in it tripping and interrupting the electrical power supplied by the alternator. The engine's electrically-operated fuel and ignition systems continued to function on battery power for about 2 minutes before the engine stopped running. The pilot's reported inability to restore electrical power (and subsequently, engine power) at a low altitude resulted in the forced landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to a loss of all electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the inaccessible placement of the alternator circuit breaker and the construction of the airplane without a backup electrical source.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 2019, about 1435 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith CH750 STOL, N750GZ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Savannah-Hardin County Airport (SNH), Savannah, Tennessee. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted. He stated that he checked the battery voltage after engine start-up, then departed SNH. While in flight, he observed a drop in the direct current (DC) electrical bus voltage from a normal value of about 13.6 volts direct current (vdc) to about 12.5 vdc. He initiated a turn back to SNH and about 2 minutes later, the DC bus voltage dropped to 0 vdc and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot selected an open field and preformed a forced landing. After the accident, the pilot noted that the alternator in-line circuit breaker located under the instrument panel, was tripped. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the firewall and additional damage to the nosewheel and rudder pedals. An inspection of the alternator circuit breaker revealed that its location underneath the instrument panel was not visible or accessible to reset during flight. The airplane was constructed such that the engine was electrically dependent on a single alternator and a single battery to provide required electrical power to operate the fuel pump and engine ignition systems. Following the accident, the pilot installed a backup battery in the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:35 CDT
Nearest AirportSavannah-Hardin County (1nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZenith CH750 STOL
Tail NumberN750GZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCorvair · 3.0 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Sprt · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data