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August 30, 2023 · Zlin Aviation S R O Savage Norden · N7373

Cabot, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cabot, AR
Aircraft
Zlin Aviation S R O Savage Norden (2022)
Tail Number
N7373
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA390

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction, who was also the airplane owner, were performing takeoffs and landings as part of a tailwheel training flight. After an uneventful landing, they departed, remained in the traffic pattern, and were on final approach when the engine lost all power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and conducted a forced landing to a field. The airplane impacted a fence and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The flight instructor noticed a small fire in the engine compartment after the accident that continued for about 30 seconds. Postaccident examination revealed that the wiring for the electric fuel pumps was thermally damaged and rested on the turbine section of the turbocharger and near the exhaust system. The fuel pumps would not function when tested with airframe controls. However, they functioned normally after the thermally damaged wires were bypassed. Examination of the remaining systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The engine control unit (ECU) data confirmed that the engine functioned normally for the majority of the flight but exhibited a total loss of power during the final approach. The data illustrated that the pilot increased the throttle position but the engine did not respond. Examination of an exemplar airplane revealed that the fuel pump’s wiring harness was routed near the firewall and not next to the turbocharger and exhaust, as observed on the accident airplane. According to the airplane manufacturer’s sole U.S. distributor, there is currently no standardization for placement of the fuel pump wiring during the manufacturing process. It is most likely that the engine lost power due to the thermally-damaged fuel pump wiring.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane manufacturer’s routing of the fuel pump wiring next to the engine’s turbocharger and exhaust, which thermally damaged the wiring and resulted in a malfunction of the fuel delivery system and a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 2023, about 1600 central daylight time, a Zlin Aviation Savage Norden airplane, N7373, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cabot, Arkansas. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor stated that they departed North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK), North Little Rock, Arkansas, and flew to Red Oak Airport (4AR2), Cabot, Arkansas, to perform takeoffs and landings for tailwheel training. Following an uneventful landing, they departed runway 09 at 4AR2 and remained in the traffic pattern. The flight instructor reported that, while on final approach, the engine sustained a total loss of power. He subsequently executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane impacted a fence during the landing roll. After the accident, he noticed a small fire in the engine compartment that continued for about 30 seconds. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The engine remained attached to the airframe with minimal impact damage. Soot residue was observed on the right upper engine cowl air louvers, the engine valve covers, and the aft engine area. The throttle position sensor wiring, oil temperature sensor wiring, and the oil pressure sensor wiring were melted and damaged. The wiring for the two primary electric fuel pumps was thermally damaged and rested on the turbine section of the turbocharger and near the exhaust system. The fuel pumps would not function when tested with airframe controls. However, they functioned normally after the thermally damaged wires were bypassed. The ECU data revealed that the engine parameters were nominal during the first portion of the flight and the throttle position corresponded to engine rpm as expected. During the final approach, the throttle position was reduced to 27%, which led to a corresponding decrease in engine speed to 1,844 rpm. About 7 seconds later, with the throttle position unchanged, the engine speed suddenly decreased to about 300 rpm, and the engine stopped running. The throttle position was then increased to 74% but the engine did not respond. When the engine speed suddenly decreased to 300 rpm, the fuel injection mass and manifold pressure increased, consistent with the engine not receiving adequate fuel. The calculated fuel flow initially decreased as the engine's speed suddenly decreased to 300 rpm before it then increased rapidly, consistent with the ECM attempting to inject more fuel to compensate for the loss of engine speed. During the initial loss of power, the ECU recorded two faults for Generator Select in Failsafe. According to Rotech, this fault can be caused by a lane check being conducted too quickly or by turning off the engine by switching off the fuel pumps (especially when the engine is running on Generator A). Rotech further reported that the Generator Select in Failsafe fault, “further substantiates the existence of fuel supply issues, as this fault was recorded at the time of the engine power loss.” An exemplar airplane was examined; the fuel pump power wiring harness was routed near the firewall and not next to the turbocharger, as seen on the accident airplane. According to the airplane manufacturer’s sole U.S. distributor, there is currently no standardization for placement of the fuel pump wiring during the manufacturing process.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest AirportRed Oak Airport (1nm E)
Runway09/2
Runway Length3700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZlin Aviation S R O Savage Norden
Tail NumberN7373
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 915IS · Reciprocating · 141
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 71 · Basc · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.83 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data