Meshko Zenair CH-701 N4386W

Summary

On 1 March 2001 at about 22:50 local time, a Meshko Zenair CH-701 registered N4386W was involved in an accident near Hudson, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 March 2001 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Hudson, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Platte Valley Airpark (18V)

Coordinates

40.0693, -104.6391

Aircraft

Meshko Zenair CH-701

Registration

N4386W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greeley → Erie

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN01LA059

1 person was seriously injured.

the loss of engine power as a result of detonation. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had just taken off and was climbing at 80 percent power (5,000 rpm) when he noticed the EGT rising "into redline 1,625 degrees F." He leveled off, reduced power to 4,800 rpm, and reduced propeller pitch. EGT stopped rising and came down slightly, but was still above redline. All other engine indications were normal. EGT continued to rise and the engine started losing power and was "running rough." The pilot tried to land at a nearby airport, but was forced to make a landing in an open field. He said he flared at the the last moment and hit the ground sharply. The nose wheel broke off when it struck a tire track and the airplane nosed over. The pilot, who also built the airplane, suspected detonation caused the rise in EGT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.