Probst ZENAIR 601XL C-GXLP

Summary

On 24 April 2016 at about 14:45 local time, a Probst ZENAIR 601XL registered C-GXLP was involved in an accident near Hempstead, Texas, United States. One person was 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

24 April 2016 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Hempstead, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.1217, -96.0867

Aircraft

Probst ZENAIR 601XL

Registration

C-GXLP

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Brenham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA167

Nobody was injured.

A loose output connection from the generator voltage regulator, which resulted in a loss of power to the electronic ignition system, a total loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a sign pole.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot departed on a cross-country flight in his experimental, amateur-built airplane, which was equipped with an electronic ignition system. The pilot did not detect any electrical system anomalies before departure, but, about 14 minutes into the flight, the avionics switched to internal battery power. The pilot was unable to troubleshoot the electrical system, and about 2 minutes later the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing to a road, the airplane's left wing impacted a road sign, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane and found a loose connection at the generator regulator output. This eventually led to the total loss of electrical power and a subsequent loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.