The pilot recalled that the preflight run-up and takeoff were normal, and that the Zenair Zodiac 601HDS’s engine seemed to be producing “plenty of power.”
However, about 150 to 200 feet above ground level, the pilot heard two “pops,” and the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an open field near Waller, Texas.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings, while the pilot sustained serious injuries in the crash.
The FAA inspector on the scene after the accident noted that the fuel line at the engine-driven (mechanical) fuel pump inlet was separated from the pump fitting.
A post-recovery engine examination did not reveal any anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the reduction gearbox. During the examination, minimal fuel — one drop — was found in the engine-driven fuel pump, and no fuel was found in either carburetor bowl.
Probable Cause: The total loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation.
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This January 2021 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Why does the NTSB or FAA take so long in an accident reporting details. If iam traveling on Federal funded highway ( like a interstate highway and run out of gas in my car and pull over to the side of the road no police are coming to tell me HEY your fuel gauge says empty. The only thing a fuel tank gauge is required to say is EMPTY , not 1/4 or half tank. I think if there’s a single plane accident let the owner/pilot deal with the damage costs with their insurance company. Over 50 years of FAA/NTSB reports and engine failures is enough. On a police report of a car/vehicle crash is stated driver lost control and be done with the report. Time to stream line those divisions of reporting and save money for over government expenditures.
I’m strongly disagree. These accident reports can pinpoint common aircraft issues, pilot error, or other causes so pilots can learn from these mistakes.
Read the inspection reports and looked at photos. This was pilot’s first flight after purchase. The fuel lines were old and brittle. Inlet fuel line clamp still on line, but not compressing the line, and not safety wired, so it fell off of the pump. Oil reservoir cap was laying loose in the engine compartment, not a crash result. Conclude that the annual was deficient, fuel lines should have been replaced and secured properly. Inadequate pre-flight. Deficient landing technique. Crash photos indicate near perfect location for off-field, but appears pilot stalled just before touchdown as there is significant empennage and wing damage consistent with the fuselage slamming into the dirt. No apparent ground roll. At least he made it out alive.