Taylor ZODIAC 601 N143DT

Summary

On 21 October 2006 at about 21:30 local time, a Taylor ZODIAC 601 registered N143DT was involved in an accident near San Antonio, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 October 2006 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

San Geronimo Airpark (8TA0)

Coordinates

29.4697, -98.8002

Aircraft

Taylor ZODIAC 601

Registration

N143DT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

San Antonio → San Antonio

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW07LA010

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A 1,900-hour private pilot departed from a 3,000-foot long by 40-foot wide runway, in a single engine experimental airplane on a local flight. Immediately after takeoff, while the airplane was climbing through approximately 300 feet above the ground, the pilot reported experiencing a total loss of engine power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot was only able to make one attempt to restart the engine. The pilot reported that he was unable to start the engine. The airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. Fuel was present in the airplane's fuel tanks. After the airplane was recovered, the engine was inspected. The engine examination revealed the engine itself did not sustain any damage. A thumb compression test was conducted on each cylinder, fuel was present in both carburetor bowls, and the electric fuel pump operated and displaced fuel. The engine's electric starter was used to rotate the engine, and ignition spark was observed on each top cylinder sparkplug. No anomalies were found that could have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. A review of the airplane's cockpit area revealed that no markings or labeling were associated with the fuel shutoff valve. A row of assorted electrical fuses were also found to be unmarked.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.